The Queen presents new colours to the Welsh Guards

The Queen presented new Colours to the First Battalion of the Welsh Guards at Windsor Castle.

This is the seventh colour presented to the Battalion since its formation in 1915. The old Colours have accompanied the battalion to places like Iraq and Bosnia.

The Commanding Officer said: “For the Welsh Guards to be asked to troop their new Colour on Her Majesty’s 80th birthday parade is a great honour.”

Queen Elizabeth II made a speech after presenting the new colours where she said: “In a Regiment with such a rich family tradition it must give considerable cause for pride and satisfaction that the present generation of Welsh Guardsmen loses nothing in comparison with its predecessors.”

“I am confident that all members of the first Battalion Welsh Guards will continue to do credit to the splendid reputation which this Regiment so deservedly enjoys.”

After the parade, Queen Elizabeth II joined the Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall for a private reception in the grounds of Windsor Castle where they met members of the regiment and their families.

The new Queen’s Colour of the 1st Battalion will be Trooped at the Queen’s Birthday Parade on 17th June.