The Uniforms of the Household Cavalry

spent ten years of my life in the blues and royals best years of my life

I lost my father last year. He was in the Household Cavalry in the 1950s. He would have enjoyed this clip no end.

Remember these are real soldiers as well, they rotate into armoured cars and served in Afghanistan and Iraq

The black horses were introduced into the household cavalry by Charles the Second, as he found that black horses frightened the enemy more during a charge than any other colour of horse.

I believe when the drum horse's are on parade, they hold the rank of Major, they are the only animals in the British armed force's that hold an officers rank.

The ceremonial tunics are made by Firimin a company in london the family run firm was founded by a man called Kasket who was taylor to the last tsar of Russia. they also make the uniforms for the royal family.There is also firm in Birmingham which is part of the firmin group which makes all the buttons badges ect and also the helmets which are hand made using rollers and are shaped by eye. there are only two men in the world that can do this work it takes about 5 hours to shape each one, also the part of the helmet which protects the neck is shaped on a blacksmiths helm and is the origonal one from when the firm was founded in 1655 which makes it the oldest manufacting company in the world.Birmingham is known has the city of a throusand trades and the whistles used on the Titanic were made in its well known Jewellery quarter.

Hi Brandon F. I was the Life Guards kettledrummer back in the 1980's, riding a fantastic blue roan Clydesdale called Coriolanus (nicknamed Bumble). At that time the Gold Coats were valued at about £8,000 and the Silver Drums (which were tuned to Eb & Bb) were uninsured as, due to their antiquity, were considered priceless.

The boots are amazing! They are polished to want looks like patent leather. The shine is Beautiful! Of course, I can only see them on YouTube, but what I watch is astonishing! Thank you!🇨🇦❤️🇬🇧🙏🏼

The peaked caps worn are not called forage caps. Forage caps were a rough equivalent to the US garrison cap and were replaced in British Army service during WW2 by the General Service cap which was in turn replaced by the beret.

Massive respect to these guys and horses: the ceremonial is perfection and they are brave and efficient soldiers on active duty. Ex- Royal Engineer.

I remember staying with my aunt and uncle (RQMC) at Knightsbridge Barracks when I was around 10 (76'ish). My uncle who was in the Life Guards showed us around the barracks and I remember wearing one of the musicians coats, the weight of it was unbelievable. Really enjoyed my week there as a kid.

"Some of these horses are complete tyrants." That really made me chuckle. Don't mess with the British warhorse. This was a really enjoyable and informative video.

I worked as a gardener in Hyde Park near their barracks in the 1970s and would sometimes see a riderless horse followed by the rider running through the park.

I'm amazed you didn't mention that the kettle drums are made of solid silver and presented by King William IV

Just a tiny addition to the complexity of uniforms - the Life Guards Trumpeters have red plumes, not the white of the Troopers. My father was a Life Guards Trumpeter between 1934 and 1947.

I remember that documentary. The instructor told the recruits "If you lose your horse, stand still and make a noise like a carrot." Many of these lads will have never ridden a horse before.

Achilles, Hector, Alexander the Great and Jimmy. Those names are amazing especially the last one.

The drummers actually control their horses with their feet, steering it with the reins attached to the stirrups.

The only branch of service I would've ever considered because I love horses almost more than life. Good job lads!

Ah, my great-grandfather was in the 'Blues' during WW1, thank you for this video - excellent stuff!