A dozen countries still maintain mounted ceremonial regiments. Here is where to see them and what they wear.
Quick answer. The main ceremonial cavalry units still active include the British Household Cavalry, the French Garde Republicaine, the Italian Corazzieri, the Spanish Royal Guard, the Swedish Life Guards, the Danish Garder Hesten, the Dutch Horse Guards, the Portuguese Guarda Nacional Republicana, and the Hungarian honour guard. Several Commonwealth and former imperial states also maintain mounted guards for state occasions.
British Household Cavalry
The Household Cavalry is the sovereign's personal mounted bodyguard, formed from the Life Guards (red tunic) and the Blues and Royals (dark blue tunic). They mount sentries at Horse Guards in Whitehall daily and escort the monarch at state occasions. Dress uniform includes the Albert pattern helmet with white or red plume, the long tunic, white breeches and jack boots to the thigh. On foot ceremonial they wear the state dress with cuirass for the troopers of both regiments on major occasions.
They are not purely ceremonial. Both regiments also function as a reconnaissance regiment of the regular army, serving in Iraq, Afghanistan and other operations.
French Garde Republicaine
The Garde Republicaine is the French gendarmerie's mounted ceremonial regiment, descended from the Garde Imperiale of Napoleon via the Garde Municipale of Paris. The regiment provides escorts for state visits, the Bastille Day parade on the Champs Elysees, and ceremonial duties at the Elysee Palace. Full dress is a black cuirassier style tunic, cuirass, brass helmet with black horsehair crest and tall boots. The escort of the President on state occasions is one of the most photographed military ceremonies in Europe.
Italian Corazzieri
The Corazzieri are the Italian presidential guard, descended from the royal guard of the House of Savoy. Dress uniform is a dark blue tunic, steel cuirass, brass helmet with black horsehair crest and tall riding boots. Officers wear a white plume. The regiment is unusual in that recruitment is restricted by height: candidates must be at least 1.90 metres (6 feet 3 inches). The ceremonial result is one of the most imposing mounted guards in the world.
Spanish Royal Guard
The Guardia Real of Spain includes a mounted squadron that performs ceremonial escort duties for the royal family at the Palacio Real in Madrid. Dress uniform is a dark blue tunic with heavy gold braid, a tall shako or helmet depending on the specific unit, and white breeches. The regiment is a direct descendant of the royal escort squadrons raised under the Bourbon kings in the 18th century.
Scandinavian royal guards
The Swedish Life Guards (Livgardet) include a mounted squadron that performs ceremonial duties at the Royal Palace in Stockholm. The Danish Garder Hesten (Guard Hussars) perform similar duties for the Danish royal family. Both wear versions of 19th century hussar or dragoon dress. The Dutch Royal Horse Guards (Garderegiment Grenadiers en Jagers) perform ceremonial escort duties at the Dutch royal residences and parliament.
The Hungarian honour guard
Hungary maintains the Royal Hungarian Guard Hussars (Magyar Kiralyi Testorsereg), which performs ceremonial duties and preserves the full historical hussar dress uniform. The regiment traces its lineage directly to the hussar tradition that gave Europe the arm in the first place. Full dress is a short braided dolman, pelisse, Hungarian breeches with gold embroidery and a tall fur busby.
Common questions
Do ceremonial units still train for combat?
Most do. The British Household Cavalry is also an operational regiment. The French Garde Republicaine is part of the national gendarmerie. Only a few units are purely ceremonial.
Where can I see the Household Cavalry change the guard?
The daily guard change takes place at Horse Guards in Whitehall at 11 a.m. on weekdays, 10 a.m. on Sundays. The ceremony is open to the public and free.
Why is there a height requirement for the Italian Corazzieri?
Tradition and ceremonial effect. The 1.90 metre minimum was established in the royal period and continued under the republic. The resulting ranks of tall uniformed guards is one of the most striking ceremonial displays in Europe.
Are ceremonial horses specially bred?
Yes. The Household Cavalry use Cavalry Blacks, large Irish bred horses selected for colour and temperament. The French Garde Republicaine use selle francais. The Italian Corazzieri use Oldenburgs. All horses go through extensive ceremonial training.
Do any Commonwealth countries have mounted ceremonial units?
Yes. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police perform the famous Musical Ride. The Australian Light Horse continues as a ceremonial unit. The Indian President's Bodyguard is one of the oldest continuously serving mounted units in the world.