Behind the uniform
Every piece of kit has a meaning, a use in the field or a reminder of regimental history. The 1902 saddles are so called for obvious reasons and the sheepskin over the top could be a rug or a pillow on the march. Girths have a surcingle as back up and the soldier’s white crossbelt is another. The chains around the horses’ necks are designed to protect from a sword slash or act as a tether and breastplates bear Peninsula brasses. Near-fore hooves are stamped with the horse’s number, a practice begun to avoid the unscrupulous claiming their charger had died in battle when they had actually lost it gambling. If a horse was killed, its hoof was cut off and presented to the quartermaster as proof; farriers still carry axes on parade for the grisly duty. Boot polish is used under hoof oil to make hooves blacker (below) and white markings are brightened with chalk.
The Prince Albert helmet (right) bears an embossed wreath, half laurel leaves (for victory) and half oak leaves (for Charles II’S oak tree), the Rose of England and a tiny George and the Dragon. The curaisses were never worn as armour, but were taken as battle honours from the French. Blues officers bear an Eagle on their sleeves, marking one captured at Waterloo, and their pips are stars, reflecting the ancient links with the Order of the Garter. Officers carry a straight sword—designed to reach, at full extension, a man holding a pike, before the pike made contact—a trooper bears a curved sabre, for slashing rather than stabbing.
Down in the temperature-controlled dress store, gold braid glitters (only 4% gold now, rather than the old 20%) on the battlehonour-adorned shabraques, or saddlecloths. Crowing the collection are the huge kettledrums borne by the drum horses, presented by George III to The Blues & Royals in 1805 and to The Life Guards by William IV in 1831. They are, literally, priceless.
The author stayed at 11 Cadogan Gardens, SW3. The Sovereign Suites package, which includes a Jubilee Afternoon Tea, costs from £525 per night (www.11cadogangardens.com)