Uniform of the Horse Guards

I have received this email:

Since the Horse Guards wore white pants IIRC, which unit would this be? Thank you.

Kepi? Anyone?

I would like to help the person who asked the question by giving and answer that would clarify the problem.

I will give a look in the book:
File din Istoria Cavaleriei romane si Tancurilor din Armata Romana" Editura "Vasile Carlova" Bucuresti.
Authors: General de brigada ® Emil Gheorghita si Colonel® George Gheorghiu.

Mayby I find something

This post has been edited by Cantacuzino on January 09, 2009 11:34 am

Sounds like what you are describing is a uniform for the "Royal Palace Guards Battalion".

Hi REGAL UNIFORMA COLECTOR,

It seems you may be right. I dug up through some materials related to the Palace Guards Battalion and their uniform did have Grey pants. I also found that the Royal Horse Guards had White pants, so this rules them out the picture.

Thank you.

Since the Horse Guards wore white pants IIRC, which unit would this be? Thank you.

I just found this message…

The Horse Guard Regiment didn't have white trousers (breeches). The Uniforms Regulation of 1930 introduced grey trousers/breeches with black (distinctive colour) double band for the Escort / Royal Horse Regiment. This uniform and trousers/breeches were worn until April 1941 and from 1945 to 1947, for ceremonial and gala dress.

Officers of the Palais Guard Battalion wore white double bands on their grey trousers, but the author of the letter said that his father had a red stripe. The "Roshiori" and the "Calarashi" officers had dark-blue trousers/breeches with double bands of the regimental colour …

Unfortunately grey trousers don't fit with the red bands for the pre-WW2 uniforms…

Thank you Kepi. I will forward this to the person who posed the question.

Btw, what color did the 4th Rosiori had? From memory, this was one of the units that served as palace guards on occasion.

Is their a distinction between the Horse Guard Regiment Metal lobster tail helmet and that of the Palace Guard Battalion or Royal Escort or did they wear the same helmet ? Also, was there a distinction between an enlisted mans helmet, NCO's and officers rank helmet ? All photos I have seen all appear to be wearing the same helmet with slight distinction to front bill and Kings cypher depending on the period.

I beleive they were Dark blue trousers with a light blue stripe.

Here are examples of two helmets. One is for the Palace Guards and the other is for the Royal Escort. Full Gala atire is with white horse hair plume and the other one is in undress atire with spike. The only difference that I see is that both units wore the same identical healmets with only the spike being different. One being all gold gilt the other unit being all silver.

Her are photos of Soldiers, NCO's and Officers in the Royal Horse Guard / Royal Escort.



King Ferdinand

King Carol II

1920's Captain

1923 NCO

1924 NCO