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{{Short description|Group of military bodyguards for protection of royal person}}
{{Short description|Group of military bodyguards for the protection of a royal person}}
{{redirect|Royal Guardsmen|the band|The Royal Guardsmen}}
{{redirect2|Royal Guardsmen|Royal soldier|the band|The Royal Guardsmen|other uses|Royal soldier (disambiguation){{!}}Royal soldier}}
[[File:Sawar Khan, one of the Royal Guards of the Emperor Shah Jahan.jpg|thumb|Sawar Khan, one of the Royal Guards of the Emperor Shah Jahan]]
[[File:Guards at Buckingham Palace (32629261244).jpg|thumb|[[King's Guard]]s at [[Buckingham Palace]]]]
A '''royal guard''' is a group of military [[bodyguard]]s, soldiers or armed retainers responsible for the protection of a [[Royal family|royal family member]], such as the [[Emperor|emperor or empress]], [[king]] or [[queen regnant|queen]], or [[prince]] or [[princess]]. They often are an elite unit of the regular [[armed forces]], or are designated as such, and may maintain special rights or privileges.
A '''royal guard''' or the '''palace guard''', is a group of military [[bodyguard]]s, soldiers or armed retainers responsible for the protection of a [[Royal family|royal family member]], such as a [[king]] or [[queen regnant|queen]], or [[prince]] or [[princess]]. They often are an elite unit of the regular [[armed forces]], or are designated as such, and may maintain special rights or privileges.


==Institution and tasks==
==Institution and tasks==
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Royal guards have historically comprised both purely ceremonial units serving in close proximity to the monarch, as well as regiments from all arms, forming a designated substantial elite and intended for active service as part of the army. An example of the first category would include the ''Tropas de la Casa Real'' of the Spanish monarchy prior to 1930, comprising [[halberderos]] and a mounted escort. Examples of the second would include the Imperial Guards of the Russian and German Empires prior to 1917–18.<ref>José M. Bueno, ''El Ejército de Alfonso XIII - Tropas de la Casa Real'', {{ISBN|84-86071-01-1}}</ref>
Royal guards have historically comprised both purely ceremonial units serving in close proximity to the monarch, as well as regiments from all arms, forming a designated substantial elite and intended for active service as part of the army. An example of the first category would include the ''Tropas de la Casa Real'' of the Spanish monarchy prior to 1930, comprising [[halberderos]] and a mounted escort. Examples of the second would include the Imperial Guards of the Russian and German Empires prior to 1917–18.<ref>José M. Bueno, ''El Ejército de Alfonso XIII - Tropas de la Casa Real'', {{ISBN|84-86071-01-1}}</ref>


Monarchs frequently modeled their royal guards upon those of fellow rulers. Thus, [[Napoleon I]]'s ''Garde Imperiale'' was imitated by his opponent [[Alexander I of Russia]], his Bourbon successor [[Louis XVIII]], and his nephew [[Napoleon III]]. The modern ''[[Royal Netherlands Army#Guards|Garderegiment Grenadiers en Jagers]]'' regiment of the Netherlands and the ''[[Belgian Royal Escort|Escorte Royale]]'' of Belgium retain features of uniform and other distinctions that can be traced back to Napoleonic influences.<ref>Philip Mason, ''Pillars of Monarchy'', {{ISBN|0-7043-2424-5}}</ref>
Monarchs frequently modelled their royal guards upon those of fellow rulers. Thus, [[Napoleon I]]'s ''Garde Imperiale'' was imitated by his opponent [[Alexander I of Russia]], his Bourbon successor [[Louis XVIII]], and his nephew [[Napoleon III]]. The modern ''[[Royal Netherlands Army#Guards|Garderegiment Grenadiers en Jagers]]'' regiment of the Netherlands and the ''[[Belgian Royal Escort|Escorte Royale]]'' of Belgium retain features of uniform and other distinctions that can be traced back to Napoleonic influences.<ref>Philip Mason, ''Pillars of Monarchy'', {{ISBN|0-7043-2424-5}}</ref>


==Political importance==
==Political importance==
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* [[Medjay]], since the old kingdom of Egypt until the [[Ptolemaic dynasty]]
* [[Medjay]], since the old kingdom of Egypt until the [[Ptolemaic dynasty]]
* [[Somatophylakes]], in the [[Macedonia (ancient kingdom)|ancient Kingdom of Macedonia]]
* [[Somatophylakes]], in the [[Macedonia (ancient kingdom)|ancient Kingdom of Macedonia]]
* [[Immortals (Persian Empire)|Imperial Guard]], in the [[Achaemenid Empire]] of [[Persia]]
* [[Imperial Guard (Iran)#Javidan Guard|Javidan Guard]], in the [[Imperial State of Iran]] of [[Persia]]
* [[Praetorian Guard]], in the [[Roman Empire]]
* [[Herculians|Jovians and Herculians]], in late [[Roman Empire]] and early [[Byzantine Empire]]
* [[Imperial Guards (Tang dynasty)|Jìn Jūn]], in the [[Tang dynasty]] of [[Dynasties in Chinese history|China]]
* [[Imperial Guards (Qing China)|Shìwèi]], in the [[Qing dynasty]] of China
* [[Manchukuo Imperial Guards]], in [[Manchukuo]]
* [[Royal Burmese armed forces|Royal Palace Guards]], in [[Burma]]
* [[Royal Burmese armed forces|Royal Palace Guards]], in [[Burma]]
* [[Hangu Beykalun]], the Imperial Bodyguards of Maldivian Sultan, the unit was formed by [[Muhammad Thakurufaanu al-Auzam]] (1573-1585), decommissioned in early 1930s, at the end of the reign Sultan [[Muhammad Shamsuddeen III]]
* [[Military of the Bruneian Sultanate|Pengawal Diraja]], in [[Bruneian Sultanate (1368–1888)|Brunei]]
* [[Hangu Beykalun]], the Royal Bodyguards of Maldivian Sultan, the unit was formed by [[Muhammad Thakurufaanu al-Auzam]] (1573–1585), decommissioned in early 1930s, at the end of the reign Sultan [[Muhammad Shamsuddeen III]]
* [[Excubitors]], [[Spatharios|Spatharii]], [[Hetaireia]], [[Paramonai]] and the [[Varangian Guard]], in the [[Byzantine Empire]]
* [[Origins of the French Foreign Legion|Royal Foreign Units Guards]], [[Garde du Corps (France)|King's Royal Guard]]s such as the [[Garde Ecossaise|Scottish Guard]], [[Swiss Guard]]s such as the [[Swiss Guard|Hundred Swiss]], Guards of the [[French Royal Army (1652–1830)|French Royal Army]], which served the [[Monarchies in Europe|European]] [[monarchies]] such as the [[Kingdom of France]] (the [[Ancien Régime]]), part of the [[Maison militaire du roi de France]].
* [[Origins of the French Foreign Legion|Royal Foreign Units Guards]], [[Garde du Corps (France)|King's Royal Guard]]s such as the [[Garde Ecossaise|Scottish Guard]], [[Swiss Guard]]s such as the [[Swiss Guard|Hundred Swiss]], Guards of the [[French Royal Army (1652–1830)|French Royal Army]], which served the [[Monarchies in Europe|European]] [[monarchies]] such as the [[Kingdom of France]] (the [[Ancien Régime]]), part of the [[Maison militaire du roi de France]].
* [[Monaspa]], in the [[Kingdom of Georgia]]
* [[Monaspa]], in the [[Kingdom of Georgia]]
* [[Tobang]], in the [[Goryeo dynasty]] of [[History of Korea|Korea]]
* [[Tobang]], in the [[Goryeo dynasty]] of [[History of Korea|Korea]]
* [[Naegeumwi]], in the [[Joseon dynasty]] of [[History of Korea|Korea]]
* [[Naegeumwi]], in the [[Joseon dynasty]] of [[History of Korea|Korea]]
* [[ValaShahis]], in [[Mughal Empire]]
* [[Kheshig]], in the [[Mongol Empire]]
* [[Appuhamy|Athapattuva]], in the [[Kingdom of Kandy]]
* [[Appuhamy|Athapattuva]], in the [[Kingdom of Kandy]]
* [[Monteros de Espinosa]], in the Kingdom & [[Crown of Castille]], now part of the Guardia Real of Spain
* [[Monteros de Espinosa]], in the Kingdom & [[Crown of Castille]], now part of the Guardia Real of Spain
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* [[Spanish Guards]] (Gardes Espagnoles), an infantry regiment brigaded with the Walloon Guards but recruited within Spain itself.
* [[Spanish Guards]] (Gardes Espagnoles), an infantry regiment brigaded with the Walloon Guards but recruited within Spain itself.
* [[Maison militaire du roi de France]] (to which belonged the [[Garde du Corps (France)|Garde du Corps]], the [[Swiss Guards]], and the [[French Guards]]), in the [[Ancien Régime|Kingdom of France]]
* [[Maison militaire du roi de France]] (to which belonged the [[Garde du Corps (France)|Garde du Corps]], the [[Swiss Guards]], and the [[French Guards]]), in the [[Ancien Régime|Kingdom of France]]
* [[Imperial Guard (Russia)|Leyb-gvardiya]], in the [[Russian Empire]]
* [[Imperial Guard (Napoleon I)|Imperial Guard]], in [[Napoleon I]]'s [[First French Empire]]
* [[Imperial Guard (Napoleon III)|Imperial Guard]], in [[Napoleon III]]'s [[Second French Empire]]
* [[Royal Guard (Poland)|Royal Foot Guard]], in the [[Kingdom of Poland]] and the [[Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth]]
* [[Royal Guard (Poland)|Royal Foot Guard]], in the [[Kingdom of Poland]] and the [[Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth]]
* [[Hartschier|Leibgarde der Hartschier]], in the [[Kingdom of Bavaria]]
* [[Hartschier|Leibgarde der Hartschier]], in the [[Kingdom of Bavaria]]
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* [[Corazzieri]] and [[Granatieri di Sardegna]], in the [[Kingdom of Sardinia]] and later the [[Kingdom of Italy]]
* [[Corazzieri]] and [[Granatieri di Sardegna]], in the [[Kingdom of Sardinia]] and later the [[Kingdom of Italy]]
* [[National Guards Unit of Bulgaria|Personal Cavalry Convoy]], in the [[Principality of Bulgaria]] and [[Kingdom of Bulgaria]]
* [[National Guards Unit of Bulgaria|Personal Cavalry Convoy]], in the [[Principality of Bulgaria]] and [[Kingdom of Bulgaria]]
* [[Arcièren-Leibgarde]] (Lifeguard of Halberdiers), in the [[Austro-Hungarian Empire]] 1700-1918
* [[Trabanten Leibgarde]] (Gentlemen at Arms), in the Austro-Hungarian Empire until 1918
* [[Hofburgwache]] (Palace Bodyguard) in the Austrian Empire. Became the [[Leibgarde-Infantrerie-Kompanie]] (Guard Infantry Company) in 1802.
* [[Leibgarde-Reiter-Eskedron]] (Bodyguard Mounted Squadron) in the Austro-Hungarian Empire until 1918.
* [[Konigliche Ungarische adelige Leibgarde]] (Royal Hungarian Noble Bodyguard)
* [[Konigliche Ungarische adelige Leibgarde]] (Royal Hungarian Noble Bodyguard)
* [[Royal Hungarian Crown Guard]]. In existence under both the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the subsequent [[Kingdom of Hungary (1920–46)|Kingdom of Hungary]]
* [[Royal Hungarian Crown Guard]]. In existence under both the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the subsequent [[Kingdom of Hungary (1920–46)|Kingdom of Hungary]]
* [[Royal Guard of the Halberdiers]], in the [[Kingdom of Portugal]]
* [[Royal Guard of the Halberdiers]], in the [[Kingdom of Portugal]]
* [[Imperial Guard of the Halberdiers]], in the [[Empire of Brazil]]
* [[Royal Palace Guard]], in [[Belgium]]
* [[Royal Palace Guard]], in [[Belgium]]
* [[Royal Guard (Greece)|Royal Guard]] in Greece, now the Presidential Guard
* [[Royal Guard (Greece)|Royal Guard]] in Greece, now the Presidential Guard
* [[Romanian Royal Guards]], in [[Romania]]
* [[Romanian Royal Guards]], in [[Romania]]
*[[Imperial Guard (Japan)|Konoe Shidan]] (近衛師団), in [[Japan]]


===Present===
===Present===
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* [[Ceremonial Guard (Canada)|Ceremonial Guard]], in [[Canada]]
* [[Ceremonial Guard (Canada)|Ceremonial Guard]], in [[Canada]]
* [[Den Kongelige Livgarde]] and [[Guard Hussar Regiment Mounted Squadron]], in [[Denmark]]
* [[Den Kongelige Livgarde]] and [[Guard Hussar Regiment Mounted Squadron]], in [[Denmark]]
* [[Royal Guards of Hawaii]], a ceremonial guard unit of the [[Hawaii Air National Guard]]
* [[Imperial Guard (Japan)#Imperial Guard of the National Police Agency|Imperial Guard of the National Police Agency]], in [[Japan]]
* [[Jordan Royal Guard|Royal Guard]], in [[Jordan]]
* [[Jordan Royal Guard|Royal Guard]], in [[Jordan]]
* [[Royal Johor Military Force]], in [[Malaysia]]
* [[Royal Johor Military Force]], in [[Malaysia]]

Revision as of 05:00, 10 August 2024

"Royal Guardsmen" and "Royal soldier" redirect here. For the band, see The Royal Guardsmen. For other uses, see Royal soldier.
King's Guards at Buckingham Palace

A royal guard or the palace guard, is a group of military bodyguards, soldiers or armed retainers responsible for the protection of a royal family member, such as a king or queen, or prince or princess. They often are an elite unit of the regular armed forces, or are designated as such, and may maintain special rights or privileges.

Institution and tasks

The Palace Guard by Ernst Rudolf.

Royal guards have historically comprised both purely ceremonial units serving in close proximity to the monarch, as well as regiments from all arms, forming a designated substantial elite and intended for active service as part of the army. An example of the first category would include the Tropas de la Casa Real of the Spanish monarchy prior to 1930, comprising halberderos and a mounted escort. Examples of the second would include the Imperial Guards of the Russian and German Empires prior to 1917–18.[1]

Monarchs frequently modelled their royal guards upon those of fellow rulers. Thus, Napoleon I's Garde Imperiale was imitated by his opponent Alexander I of Russia, his Bourbon successor Louis XVIII, and his nephew Napoleon III. The modern Garderegiment Grenadiers en Jagers regiment of the Netherlands and the Escorte Royale of Belgium retain features of uniform and other distinctions that can be traced back to Napoleonic influences.[2]

Political importance

Because of their location, status, role and nature, royal guards have frequently been able to play a political role beyond their intended military and social ones. In times of revolution, the continued loyalty or defection of such units has often played a key part in the outcome of wider unrest. Historical examples were England in 1688, Spain in 1808, Sweden in 1809, France in 1789 and again in 1814-15, Russia in 1917 and Persia in 1906 and again in 1953.[3]

List of royal guards

See also: List of protective service agencies

Past

Royal Guards in Baroda
The French Guards at Fontenoy in 1745.

Present

Similar units

See also

References

  1. ^ José M. Bueno, El Ejército de Alfonso XIII - Tropas de la Casa Real, ISBN 84-86071-01-1
  2. ^ Philip Mason, Pillars of Monarchy, ISBN 0-7043-2424-5
  3. ^ Philip Mason, page 167 Pillars of Monarchy, ISBN 0-7043-2424-5
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