Queen Elizabeth II and Grenadier Guards, Windsor

Apr. 14, 1953 - Queen presents her colours to Grenadiers: At Windsor Castle today HM the Queen presented the Queen's Company colours the Royal Standard of the Regiment, to the Sovereign's Company of the first Grenadiers. She is the first Queen to present her colour in person. The Queen's Company colour and Royal Standard is peculiar to the First Grenadiers and has no counterpart in other infantry regiments. The custom of presenting a colour to the Sovereign's Company was started by Charles II in 1661 and it has been followed by practically all succeeding Sovereigns. It is the largest colour carried by any unit and on Coronation day will be the only colour carried into the Abbey. It weighs half a hundred weight and measures around 7 feet square. The pole to which it is attached is long. The Colour bears the Queen's crown and the Queen's cipher, but no battle honours and is carried by the Queen's Company on all state occasions when the Queen is present. Photo shows HM the Queen inspecting the parade of the First Grenadier Guards before presenting the Colour at Windsor this morning

Restrictions Only for United Kingdom

1661 Cipher Counterpart Custom Followed Grenadier Grenadiers Honours Inspecting Measures Peculiar Practically Presenting Sovereigns Succeeding Weighs

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