Royal Guardians Profile: The Canadian Grenadier Guards

One of the most famous regiments in the Canadian Forces is the Canadian Grenadier Guards. Although it traces its origins back to the earliest days of Canada it was officially born as the "First Regiment Canadian Grenadier Guards" in 1914 and was given the status of a household regiment; which is to say a royal guard which has the duty and honor to guard the monarch of Canada. The regiment contributed fighting men to many battalions during the First World War and by the end of the war King George V granted them the honor of being addressed as Guardsmen. They were officially allied with the Grenadier Guards of Britain and this special relationship has been maintained ever since. They were mobilized for action in World War II and earned battle honors across France, Belgium, Holland and Germany. Members of the Guard also served in the Korean War and more recently units have served in the former Yugoslavia and Afghanistan.

An elite and famous fighting force the Canadian Grenadier Guards are most known for their ceremonial duties such as guarding the residence of the Governor-General of Canada at Rideau Hall and Parliament Hill. The changing of the guard is always a must-see for visitors to Ottawa and, as a guard regiment of household troops the Canadian Grenadier Guards also travel to London when their turn comes to stand guard at Buckingham Palace; the primary residence of the Queen of Canada.

Royal Guardians Profile: The Grenadier Guards

The senior infantry regiment of the British army, the Grenadier Guards first formed in Belgium to protect the exiled King Charles II and later earned their highest honors and reputation by defeating the French Imperial Guard of Napoleon at the battle of Waterloo. They are one of the units of the famous Guards Division and like the rest are called on to take their turn standing guard over Buckingham Palace and Queen Elizabeth II, carrying on a long and honorable tradition as they have served and guarded 13 British monarchs. Their training is extensive and lasts two weeks longer than other British infantry regiments because of the extra time that must be spent to perfect their drill and ceremonial duties as a guard regiment. However, they are not simply parade ground soldiers and have earned battle honors in the War of Spanish Succession, the War of Austrian Succession, the Napoleonic Wars, the Crimean Wars, colonial conflicts in Africa and China, both World Wars and the Persian Gulf War. Like all "Household" units the monarch is the official colonel-in-chief of the Grenadier Guards.