King presents new colours to the Irish Guards at Windsor Castle ahead of birthday parade
The King has presented new colours to the Irish Guards at Windsor Castle ahead of Trooping the Colour - his official birthday parade in London next weekend.
Charles, who is Colonel in Chief of the seven Guards regiments of the Household Division, inspected the guardsmen and officers on parade before the Chaplain General consecrated the colours with a blessing.
The King is expected to take part in the birthday parade, but will inspect the soldiers from a carriage rather than on horseback, it is understood, having only recently returned to public-facing duties while still receiving treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer.
'Colours' is the name given to the flags representing different regiments of the British Army. They were originally used as rallying points for troops on the battlefield.
Infantry colours, and their cavalry counterparts which are known as standards and guidons, are among the most sacred of symbols of the Army.
The flags embody the honour, spirit and heritage of the regiments that proudly carry them.
The 2nd Battalion the Irish Guards was placed into suspended animation in 1947, but two new Public Duties Companies, Number 9 Company Irish Guards and Number 12 Company Irish Guards, are 'reactivating' the traditions and spirit of 2nd Battalion.
The presentation of the new colours to 9 and 12 Coy began with the Band of the Irish Guards marching them into Windsor Castle.
The Band of the Irish Guards was led by the Irish Guards' regimental mascot – an Irish wolfhound named Turlough Mor, colloquially known as Seamus.
Irish Guards Regimental Lieutenant Colonel, Major General Sir Christopher Ghika KCVO CBE accompanied the King.
In a deeply symbolic ceremony the King touched the new flags – the King’s Colour and the Regimental Colour – signalling their special status as the "soul of the regiment" after they were consecrated by the Army's Chaplain.
Last weekend, soldiers completed the Colonel's Review, the final rehearsal for the King's Birthday Parade, in central London.
The Colonel's Review is the final check that Trooping the Colour is of a high enough standard for The King's Birthday Parade.
Troops rehearsed on foot and horseback at Horse Guards Parade ahead of the biggest ceremonial event in the military calendar.
In March 2023, the Princess of Wales took over the role of Colonel of the Irish Guards from the Prince of Wales.
Ahead of the review, Princess Kate wrote a letter to the regiment apologising for her absence and expressing her pride in the soldiers ahead of the Colonel's Review.
As Colonel of the regiment, she would usually take the salute at the ceremonial event, but she apologised for being unable to attend as she continues to receive treatment for cancer.
The letter, which was signed 'Colonel Catherine', was read out to the troops at their barracks and received a round of applause.
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