History, Privileges and Customs

Formation

The Regiment was formed in Bruges, Flanders in May of 1656, the Regiment was formed from loyal men who had gone into exile with King Charles II rather than live in tyranny under Cromwell, the Regiments Colonel was Lord Thomas Wentworth and so there the Regiment was formed in a region of Europe that would become more than familiar over the next almost four centuries.

A Regiment of Grenadiers

On the 29th July 1815 the following order was published

“In the name of the King, HRH The Prince Regent has been pleased to approve that the Regiment should henceforth be made a Regiment of Grenadiers and styled “The First or Grenadier Regiment of Foot Guards” in commemoration of their having defeated the Grenadiers of the French Imperial Guards at Waterloo”

The Primary Badge of the Regiment

The Royal Cypher reversed and interlaced, surrounded by the most noble order of the garter and surmounted by the Imperial Crown

The Secondary Badge worn in Forage Caps and berets

Many honours were taken after the Battle of Waterloo by the Regiment to remember this historic victory, not only was the Regiment re-named but it was also awarded the French “Grenade Enflammee” or flaming Grenade as a cap badge.

Our Secondary Cap Badge is known to the Regiment as the Grenade Fired Proper (Which is a battle honour worn with pride)

In heraldry we can break down the meaning of the cap badge:

Grenade: A hollow, ball-shaped iron bomb with a small neck at the top

Fired: A bursting flame is actively shooting or erupting out of the top neck of the ball

Proper: The entire object is painted in it’s realistic, natural colours

(It will also be a visual reminder to the soldier of how it is to be when thrown, such as pulling the pin from a modern grenade)

There are 17 flames to the Grenade cap badge whilst each flame point does not represent anything at all, those 17 flames are unique to the Grenadier Guards, whilst other units in the British Army may have a Grenade Fired Proper as a cap badge 17 flames is unique to the Grenadier Guards only. In the Victorian and Edwardian period Grenades were designed and manufactured with 13 and 15 flames and at the time of issue were unique to the Regiment.

The bearskin cap, white plume and curb chain

All Grenadier Companies in Infantry Regiments of the British Army wore the distinctive bearskin caps, when the First Foot Guards became the First or Grenadier regiment of Foot Guards a Regiment of Grenadiers each man was to wear the Bearskin Cap, continued to this day by the men and women that serve in the Regiment, to create uniformity in the Brigade of Guards in 1832 King William IV granted the Coldstream and Scots Guards the bearskin cap.

To make the bearskin cap presentable on parade, the fringe was brushed down and from the sides was brushed back to produce the effect of an apple at the front and a pear from behind, to create the all over spikiness bearskins were left hanging upside down for hours in preparation for wear.

The white plume of the Grenadiers is seen from a flank but never from the front or rear when fitted in the bearskin cap

The curb chain is facial armour to protect soldiers when this was worn in battle from sword attack, the brass links can be gently and carefully bent so that the curb chain fits flat to an individuals face.

Grenadier Guards Rank

Private soldiers were granted the right to be called Guardsman in 1919 by King George V

Lance Corporals wear two chevrons (stripes) as Queen Victoria did not like to see only one chevron on a tunic

Corporal’s are appointed Lance Sergeants and have full Sergeants Mess rights, in Guard Order they wear three white chevrons.

Guardsman, Lance Corporal’s and Lance Sergeant’s all wear the Grenade cap badge as seen above and all wear the same style tunic.

Sergeants wear three gold chevron’s in Guard order to distinguish themselves from Lance Sergeants, they wear a red sash and their grenade cap badge has the royal cypher reversed and interlaced surmounted by the crown embossed in the ball of the grenade.

Colour Sergeants wear three gold chevrons with a Colour badge sewn on top, they wear the same cap badge as a Gold Sergeant. When a Colour Sergeant is appointed Company Quartermaster Sergeant he is called the ‘Pay Sergeant’. Pay Sergeant is a spoken word and when writing is always the CQMS or Company Quartermaster Sergeant. Up until the 1950’s the Company Quartermaster Sergeant would issue the pay on pay parade.

Warrant Officer Class II, a WOII is known as the Company Sergeant Major and in Guard Order wears a Colour Badge on the upper right arm of his scarlet tunic. The Training Warrant Officer is known as the Company Sergeant Major Instructor Musketry or CSMIM. On ceremonial duties the day today preparation for duties is run by the Drill Sergeants who are senior Warrant Officer Class II’s. The Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant’s rank badge changes to that of a crown with laurel worn on the right wrist.

The Regimental Sergeant Major is known as ‘The Sergeant Major’ and wears the large Royal Coat of Arms on his upper right arm, he is the senior Non-Commissioned Rank in the Battalion.

The Staff Grenade is worn by all Warrant Officers and Battalion Staff in forage caps and berets, it is a brass grenade with separate silver cypher and crown.

Grenadiers will never say Sergeant it is shortened to Ser’nt! (sounds like SARNT)

Grenadiers will never say ‘yes’, when responding to an order or question they will answer ‘Sir’ if the answer is negative they will answer ‘No Sir’

Until the 7th November 1920 a grenade badge was worn on the shoulder strap of a scarlet tunic but this was then replaced by the Royal Cypher.

As the First or Grenadier Regiment of Foot Guards the buttons on a Grenadiers tunic are evenly spaced or in one’s.

In Winter months members of the Regiment in Ceremonial uniform will wear the Great Coat with rank worn on the lower right arm so that rank can be seen if wearing the cape on over the top.

Brigade Order

When displaying the Foot Guards cap badges in order we use Brigade order.

In 1832 to create uniformity in the Brigade of Guards the Coldstream and Scots Guards were allowed to wear the Bearskin Cap.

On campaigns  Guards Brigades were formed from Battalions of the Brigade of Guards such as the Egyptian Campaigns in 1882 and 1885, in 1882 the 2nd Battalion fought at Tel El Kebir and in 1885 the 3rd Battalion at Suakin.

On the 15th August 1915 The Guards Division was formed with now all five Regiments of Foot Guards in Guards Brigades within the Divison.

In 1941 The Guards Armoured Division was formed including Guardsmen in Tanks but was disbanded in 1945 when the Armoured Battalions reverted to Infantry and the Guards Division now included all Foot Guard Battalions.

In 1970 the Household Division was formed and now included all The Guards Division (Foot Guards) and both Regiments of the Household Cavalry.

In Brigade order the Senior Regiments flank the Junior, originally it was the First Foot Guards on the right Flank, the Scots in the Centre and the Coldstream on the left Flank. With the inclusion of the Irish Guards in 1900 we now have the Micks between the Scots and Coldstream and in 1915 the Welsh Guards were added to the Brigade order and being the Junior Regiment in Brigade Order went in the centre.

When displaying the Cap Badges of the Foot Guards in the correct Brigade Order they should be Grenadier, Scots, Welsh, Irish and Coldstream Guards respectively.

Freedom Parades

All Battalions of the Regiment have the right to march through the City of London with Colours flying, drums beating and bayonets fixed. Battalions are invariably to exercise this right when marching through the City boundaries, but are to inform the Lord Mayor of their intention to do so. The right, formerly possessed by the 3rd Battalion only, was extended to the remaining Battalions of the Regiment in October 1915. The authentic challenge to a body of troops entering the City boundaries, and the reply, is:

• As the head of the Battalion approaches the City boundary, the City Marshal, mounted, stands in the middle of the road.
• The Commanding Officer halts the Battalion and then rides forward.
• The City Marshal then calls out “Who comes there?”
• The Commanding Officer replies “The First Battalion Grenadier Guards exercising their ancient privilege and right to enter the City of London with Colours flying, drums beating and bayonets fixed.”
• The City Marshal replies “I have it on the authority of the Lord Mayor to receive and attend your Battalion through the City.” He salutes and leads the Battalion through the City, past the Mansion House to the City boundary.

On 4 March 1964, the Council of the City of Manchester resolved unanimously that the Council “place on record their great admiration and appreciation of the renowned achievements and glorious traditions” of the Regiment. On 16 May 1964, at a parade in Manchester, a Scroll of Honour was presented to the Regiment recording the resolution of the City Council to grant the Regiment the right to march through the City with Colours flying, drums beating and bayonets fixed. It is not correct to refer to this honour as one of receiving the Freedom of the City, although the privileges bestowed are similar.

In pursuance of a resolution passed at a special meeting of the City Council of Worcester on the 27th April 1999, “it was resolved that in recognition of the long and close association between the City and the Regiment, the City confer upon the Grenadier Guards Regiment the right, privilege and honour of entering and marching through the City on ceremonial occasions with sword drawn, bayonets fixed, drums beating, band playing and Colours flying”. A Scroll of Honour recording this was presented to the Regiment at a Parade in Worcester on the 22nd May 1999.

Whereas at a special meeting of the Council of the City of Lincoln held at the Guildhall, Saltergate, Lincoln on the eighth day of May, two thousand and eight, it was proposed and resolved unanimously that pursuant to Section 249 of the Local Government Act 1972, The Mayor and Citizens of the City of Lincoln do confer the Honorary Freedom of the City upon the Officer Commanding, Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers and Junior Ranks of The Grenadier Guards in recognition of the important contribution which they have made to the City and the Nation during war and peace as well as continuing their traditional and privileged tasks of mounting guard over the Sovereign and in the certainty that the close ties which bind the Grenadier Guards and the City will draw even closer. We, the Mayor and Citizens of the City of Lincoln have resolved to admit and have admitted the Grenadier Guards in perpetuity to the Honorary Freedom of the City of Lincoln.

Suspended Animation

The Inkerman Company

When the 3rd Battalion of the Regiment was placed in suspended animation on 31st March 1961, Her Majesty The Queen directed that a composite company should be formed from all ranks of the 3rd Battalion and should become the Left Flank Company of the 2nd Battalion in order to keep alive the traditions of the 3rd Battalion. Her Majesty directed that this new Company should be known as The Inkerman Company. The Company Call of The Inkerman Company is the former 3rd Battalion Call. The Inkerman Company became the third rifle company of the 1st Battalion when the 2nd Battalion was placed in suspended animation.

Nijmegen Company

Nijmegen Company was formed on the 3rd August 1994 from Number Two Company of the 2nd Battalion and elements of the remainder of the Battalion including the Corps of Drums. The 2nd Battalion was placed in suspended animation on the 5th November 1994 as a result of the 1993 round of defence cuts. Nijmegen Company was formed as a Public Duties Incremental Company and carries the Colours of the 2nd Battalion and maintains its customs and traditions. Nijmegen Company’s Company Colour was formerly that of Support Company in the 2nd Battalion.

Other Privileges

Apart from the privileges set out in Her Majesty’s Regulations for the Household Division, the Grenadier Guards have the following privileges:

1. The King’s Company has the privilege of being on duty in Westminster Abbey on the occasion of the Coronation of the Sovereign.
2. The King’s Company performs the duty of watching over the dead body of a Sovereign prior to any public lying-in-state, and the Company Colour of the King’s Company is buried with the Sovereign at the commitment. The King’s Company provides the Bearer Party at the Sovereign’s funeral.

Customs

Hyde Park Corner

It is a custom of the Regiment to march at attention across Hyde Park Corner. This custom dates from the days when the first Duke of Wellington lived at Apsley House, and the troops of the Brigade were invariably called to attention when passing his residence. Ever since his death the custom has been kept up by the Regiment.

Dress

1. At the funeral of Charles II the Arms of England and of France were incorporated on the mourning band. It is to commemorate this that the Fleur-de-Lys is worked in braid on the tunics of Drummers of the Regiment. The practice has been adopted for all Drummers of Regiments’ of the Household Division.
2. The grouping of buttons on the tunic is a common way to distinguish between the regiments of Foot Guards. Grenadier Guards’ buttons are equally spaced and embossed with the Royal Cypher reversed and interlaced.
3. The Royal Cypher surrounded by the Royal Garter bearing the motto Honi Soit qui mal y pense (Evil be to him who evil thinks ) is worn on the shoulder of Home Service Clothing [Tunics]The Grenadiers’ “Buff Belt” brass clasps (Lockets Union) also carry the Royal Cypher.

Company Colours

Under Royal Warrant of King Charles II, twenty four colours were issued to the Regiment for use as Company Colours: on each was a Royal badge. In 1854, Queen Victoria’s sanction was obtained for an additional series of six badges. Since that time thirty Company Badges have remained in use in the Regiment and are the basis of our Colours today.

Company Colours are used on many parades including The King’s Birthday Parades and seen here at the dais for the Presentation of New Colours to the 1st Battalion in Buckingham Palace on the 9th June 2026.

Company Colours ceased to be re-issued after 1838 except for those issued in rotation as Regimental Colours to Battalions. After 1859 these were issued as, and under the title of, Regimental rather than Company Colours.
The Company Badges are now borne in rotation on the Regimental Colours of Battalions and on the thirty Company marking flags, properly known as Camp Flags or Camp Colours.