His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen attended a ceremonial parade at Buckingham Palace this week, to present new Colours to the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, the most senior infantry regiment in the British Army.
The historic ceremony marked an important moment in the regiment’s long and distinguished history. One of the newly presented Colours will be carried by The King’s Company during Trooping the Colour, the King’s official Birthday Parade, taking place on 13 June.
The presentation of Colours is one of the oldest and most significant traditions in the British Army. Colours serve as a regiment’s symbolic heart, carrying its battle honours and representing the loyalty, courage and sacrifice of generations of soldiers who have served under them. New Colours are typically presented only once every generation, making the occasion particularly special for those involved.
SSgt Donald C Todd UK MOD © Crown copyright 2026
The Grenadier Guards have served the Crown and country for more than 370 years. Formed in 1656 by King Charles II while in exile, the regiment is one of the oldest and most distinguished units in the British Army. Its soldiers have fought in many of Britain’s most significant military campaigns, including Tangier, Blenheim, Waterloo, the Crimean War, both World Wars, Iraq and Afghanistan.
Today, the regiment performs a unique dual role. Alongside its internationally recognised ceremonial duties guarding the Royal Palaces in London and Windsor, it remains a fully operational infantry regiment capable of deployment around the world. Over the past 18 months, Grenadier Guards soldiers have taken part in demanding military training exercises in Cyprus and Kenya, maintaining the operational readiness expected of a modern fighting force.
The parade began at Wellington Barracks in Westminster, where soldiers carried the regiment’s Old Colours for the final time before marching to Buckingham Palace.
Her Majesty The Queen, who has served as Colonel of the Grenadier Guards since December 2022, received a Royal Salute as the Band of the Grenadier Guards played the National Anthem. In a moment rich with tradition and symbolism, the Old Colours were then marched off parade for the final time, bringing their years of service to a dignified conclusion.
His Majesty The King subsequently joined The Queen on the dais, where a further Royal Salute was given before the National Anthem was played once more. The Regimental Lieutenant Colonel, Major General James Bowder, then invited Their Majesties to inspect the assembled regiment.
The ceremony showcased the precision, discipline and professionalism for which the Grenadier Guards are renowned. Against the backdrop of Buckingham Palace, the event served as a powerful reminder of the enduring bond between the Armed Forces, the Crown and the nation they serve.
With one of the newly presented Colours set to feature prominently at Trooping the Colour this weekend, the ceremony also marked the beginning of a new chapter in the regiment’s proud story.
As Britain prepares to celebrate the King’s Official Birthday, the presentation of the new Colours stands as a fitting tribute to one of the country’s most distinguished regiments and to the generations of Grenadier Guardsmen who have faithfully served King and country.
Images: MOD Crown Copyright News / Editorial Licence.
