Guidon Presentation 1956

On 5 July 1956 the Queen presented a new guidon to the Royal Scots Greys, in the garden of the Palace of Holyroodhouse. The regiment paraded with a strength of 260 men and 11 officers. Queen Elizabeth II was escorted by the Colonel of the Regiment, Brigadier G H N Todd and accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh who wore the uniform of the Cameron Highlanders. Also in attendance was Lieutenant-General Sir Horatius Murray GOC-in-C Scottish Command. The Queen inspected the regiment and then stood on a red dias to watch the old guidon being marched off by a mounted warrant officer, escorted by two mounted staff sergeants.
The new guidon, bearing battle honours ranging from Blenheim to Salerno, was brought on by NCOs on foot and laid on the kettle drums. A consecration service followed, something normally reserved for Infantry Colours but was here carried out by no less than four clergymen. The Chaplain-General, Scottish Command, the Rev J A Williamson, assisted by the Rev L L Lloyd-Jones (Church of England), the Rev G J Bankes (RC) and the Regimental Chaplain the Rev H D Griffiths. The guidon was then handed to Her Majesty who placed it in the guidon belt of the Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant kneeling in front of her.
The Queen then made a speech in which she said that the reputation of the Greys could not be outshone by any other regiment in the British Army. The Commanding Officer, Lieutenant-Colonel M G Borwick, and Brigadier Todd gave speeches in reply. The new guidon was then marched to the lines on foot, as the band played 'Garb of Old Gaul'. The regiment gave a Royal Salute followed by three cheers for the Queen, marched past in column of threes, and left the garden. There followed a Presentation party and in the evening a ball was held in the Assembly Rooms hosted by the Scots Greys.

A Troop marches on to the parade led by 2nd Lieutenant The Duke of Kent and another officer. Behind the Duke is one of the staff sergeants who will escort the new guidon. He has a pouchbelt and a sword. The troopers are armed with pistols in white holsters.

The Queen, in her capacity as Colonel-in-Chief inspects the Royal Scots Greys who parade on foot. They wear their blue no.1 dress and carry pistols in white holsters. The men do not wear spurs but the officers do. Her Majesty was wearing a pale yellow coat with white shoes and handbag. Her hat was made of pink rosebuds. She has a diamond regimental brooch which was presented to her by the regiment a few days previously.

The old guidon is marched off by three senior NCOs to the tune of 'Auld Lang Syne'. They carry swords and are wearing knee boots and breeches, and white gauntlet gloves with their blue no.1 dress uniforms.

The Queen places the new guidon into the belt of the Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant kneeling before her. The regimental kettle drums are behind her, covered with the embroidered banners.

The new guidon is carried by the Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant flanked by two sergeants. The Queen can be seen standing on a low red dias. Standing next to her is Squadron Leader Christopher Blount and then the Duke of Edinburgh wearing the uniform of the Cameron Highlanders of which he was Commander-in-Chief. Also flanking the Queen are men of the Royal Company of Archers.

Regimental Details | Guidons