They’re the lads who’re ready to provide their lives for the monarch.
As the Queen lies in state in Westminster Corridor till Monday, her coffin is being watched over by a 24-hour rotation of bodyguards.
Though they aren’t as historic because the monarchy itself, the Yeomen of the Guard, Royal Firm of Archers and Gents at Arms are all have illustrious pasts that stretch again centuries.
Acquainted from their presence on the State Opening of Parliament, the Yeomen of the Guard is the oldest unit of Royal bodyguards, having been based 537 years in the past in 1485 by King Henry VII after his victory over Richard III on the Battle of Bosworth. They’re all the time current when a monarch lies in state.
The Gents at Arms, who’re usually armed with a spear and lance, have acted as an escort for the monarch since being created by Henry VIII, in 1509.
They’re in attendance at many essential events, together with the State Opening of Parliament, the arrivals of visiting heads of state and backyard events hosted by the monarch. They guarded King George VI when he lay in state in Westminster Corridor 70 years earlier than his daughter in 1952.
The Royal Firm of Archers, who have been created in 1676, act because the Sovereign’s Physique Guard in Scotland and are current at any state or ceremonial event north of the border. They have been current for the Queen Mom’s lying-in-state in 2002.
Additionally collaborating in vigil duties are members of the Grenadier Guards, who’re well-known for his or her sensible crimson tunics and bearskin hats once they carry out ceremonial duties outdoors the likes of Buckingham Palace and Windsor Citadel.
Each Scottish Secretary Alister Jack and Defence Secretary Ben Wallace are members of the Royal Firm of Archers – attributable to their earlier service within the armed forces – and will probably be collaborating within the vigil right now.
Final evening, an archer who was guarding Her Majesty’s coffin after its arrival from Buckingham Palace dramatically fainted, prompting cops to hurry to his aide. It got here after one other archer collapsed when the Queen’s coffin was being carried out of St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh on Thursday.
Because the Queen lies in state in Westminster Corridor till Monday, her coffin is being watched over by a 24-hour rotation of bodyguards. Above: Members of the Yeomen of the Guard (left and much proper) on responsibility alongside the Gents at Arms
Her Majesty’s coffin arrived in Westminster Corridor from Buckingham Palace yesterday. It’s seen draped within the Royal Normal, with the Imperial State Crown on prime
Yeomen of the Guard
The 24-hour vigil in Westminster Corridor is being broke into 4 six-hour shifts. The guards stand vigil for 20 minutes at a time earlier than rotating.
Distinctive of their Tudor uniforms of crimson, white and yellow, the King’s Physique Guard of the Yeomen of the Guard are the oldest of the monarch’s defenders.
The guards have been created after the Battle of Bosworth, when Henry VII – Henry VIII’s father – defeated Richard III in what was the defining battle of the Struggle of the Roses.
The 24-hour vigil in Westminster Corridor is being broke into 4 six-hour shifts. The guards stand vigil for 20 minutes at a time earlier than rotating. Distinctive of their Tudor uniforms of crimson, white and yellow, the King’s Physique Guard of the Yeomen of the Guard are the oldest of the monarch’s defenders
When Henry was protected within the battle by his devoted guards, he rewarded them by formally establishing the Yeomen.
The guards have been created after the Battle of Bosworth, when Henry VII – Henry VIII’s father – defeated Richard III
The Yeomen continued to have an lively position in guarding the monarchs that adopted Henry VII, however now have a purely ceremonial position.
They’re now made up of 73 servicemen who’re all former warrant or non-commissioned officers. They’re aged between 42 and 55 and have served for a minimum of 22 years within the navy.
There are 4 ranks of Yeomen officer: Exon, Ensign, Lieutenant and Captain. Yeoman ranks beneath officer embody Yeoman, Yeoman Mattress Hanger (YBH), Yeoman Mattress Goer (YBG), Divisional Sergeant-Main (DSM) and Messenger Sergeant-Main (MSM).
They participate within the annual Royal Maundy Service, when the monarch distributes silver cash to native pensioners.
They’re additionally current in any respect investitures and summer season backyard events at Buckingham Palace.
Nonetheless, the Yeomen of the Guard should not the identical as Yeomen Warders, who guard the Tower of London. That is even though their uniforms are nearly similar.
They carry a sword, which isn’t drawn, and a halberd known as a ‘partisan’.
When Henry was protected within the battle by his devoted guards, he rewarded them by formally establishing the Yeomen. Above: Henry is depicted being topped after the battle, whereas surrounded by his guards
The Queen is seen beaming as she inspects the Yeomen of the Guard on the lawns of Buckingham Palace in June 1982
Yeomen of the Guard are seen in a time lapse photograph across the Queen Mom’s coffin in 2002, as members of the general public filed previous to pay their respects
Gents at Arms
His Majesty’s Physique Guard of the Honourable Corps of Gents at Arms have been initially known as the Troop of Gents once they have been fashioned by King Henry VIII to behave as a mounted escort.
The guard accompanied Henry to France in 1513, the place they took half within the Battle of Guinegate in opposition to the French. The battle resulted in a victory for England and their allies, the Holy Roman Empire.
The lads turned a dismounted bodyguard later within the sixteenth Century and have been as a substitute armed with battleaxes.
The unit final noticed lively service throughout the English Civil Struggle and have been on common responsibility till the nineteenth Century.
Now, their position is only ceremonial. They guard the monarch throughout the arrivals of heads of state and the State Opening of Parliament.
At backyard events, they’re tasked with forming the lanes by means of which members of the Royal Household stroll.
His Majesty’s Physique Guard of the Honourable Corps of Gents at Arms have been initially known as the Troop of Gents once they have been fashioned by King Henry VIII to behave as a mounted escort. Now, their position is only ceremonial. They guard the monarch throughout the arrivals of heads of state and the State Opening of Parliament. Above: A member of the unit guarding the Queen’s coffin in Westminster Corridor yesterday
Now, their position is only ceremonial. They guard the monarch throughout the arrivals of heads of state and the State Opening of Parliament. Above: Gents of the Guard are seen following Yeomen of the Guard as they enter Westminster Corridor on Monday
Gents at Arms are seen on guard when the Queen Mom lay in state for 3 days after her dying in 2002
They’re made up of 5 officers, and 27 ‘Gents’. The senior officer – the Captain – is now all the time the Chief Whip within the Home of Lords.
The Gents at Arms put on a skirted crimson coat with blue velvet cuffs, lengthy white gloves and white swan feather plumes.
They wield cavalry swords and ceremonial battle-axes, a few of that are greater than 300 years previous.
Royal Firm of Archers
The Royal Firm of Archers carry out duties on the request of the monarch at any state or ceremonial event.
They have been initially fashioned within the seventeenth Century as a personal archery membership in Scotland.
At this time, their most common responsibility is on the monarch’s annual backyard get together on the Palace of Holyrood Home.
Through the Queen’s reign, round 120 members would type avenues down which friends chosen at random could be introduced ahead to satisfy Her Majesty.
The Royal Firm of Archers carry out duties on the request of the monarch at any state or ceremonial event. They have been initially fashioned within the seventeenth Century as a personal archery membership in Scotland. Above: Archers are seen in black guarding the Queen’s coffin yesterday, moments earlier than certainly one of them fainted
Archers are seen guarding the Queen’s coffin when Her Majesty lay at relaxation in Edinburgh’s St Giles’ Cathedral earlier this week
King George VI is seen along with his spouse Queen Elizabeth and daughters Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret throughout an inspection of the Royal Firm of Archers in 1937
Their different main responsibility is attendance outdoors Edinburgh’s St Giles’ Cathedral on the service of set up of the Knights of the Thistle, whose membership is set solely by the monarch.
The Royal Firm of Archers nonetheless features as an archery membership. Members must be Scots or have sturdy Scottish connections and are chosen by election.
Their distinctive uniform is made up of a darkish inexperienced tunic with black facings, darkish inexperienced trousers bearing a black and crimson stripe and a bonnet boasting the corporate’s badge and an eagle feather.
When on responsibility, they carry wood bows.
Mr Jack and Mr Wallace are each anticipated to be concerned within the vigil across the Queen’s coffin this afternoon.
After the Queen’s dying at Balmoral in Scotland final week, Mr Wallace mentioned she had ‘devoted her life to serving her nation’.
Talking in regards to the Queen after her dying was introduced, Mr Jack acknowledged: ‘Her lengthy reign was outlined by onerous work and devoted public service, incomes her the respect and devotion of her residents.’
The Royal Firm of Archers at are seen outdoors St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh earlier this week as they took half within the procession accompanying Her Majesty’s coffin
The Royal Firm of Archers go away St Giles’ Cathedral, in Edinburgh, on September 12. The Firm nonetheless features as an archery membership. Members must be Scots or have sturdy Scottish connections and are chosen by election
