Princes Charles and Harry on Parade

On Sunday the Blues and Royals, in a once in a decade privilege, lead the Household Cavalry's Memorial Parade through London's Hyde Park. Hundreds of soldiers, their families, friends and curious on-lookers watched the parade as it made it's way through the park stopping at the regimental war memorials along the way.

Among the soldiers was Prince Harry who was dressed in the traditional "city kit" of pinstriped suit and bowler hat and carrying an umbrella. Harry looked every inch the gentlemen soldier in spite of having been photographed leaving Boujis nightclub just a few hours before. The make them tough in the military! Harry proudly marched alongside the soldiers he'd fought beside in Afghanistan. This was Harry's third appearance at the parade. It would have been Prince William's second appearance although it's believed that he's away on holiday having been given a month's leave.

Prince Charles was on hand to take the salute from the Cavalry and Yeomanry regiments as they passed the bandstand. He laid a wreath of poppies at the Cavalry Memorial after which there was an open-air service of remembrance.

The parade is not just to remember the regiment's fallen soldiers; present and retired members of the regiment also use the day as a good way of reuniting with old friends and comrades. Said one Cavalry soldier, Fred Collingwood, "It's important for the pride of our regiment and it's important to this country that we maintain these standards. It's also about remembrance for all the people that have died."

He went on to speak of Prince Harry revealing, "The nice thing about the man is that there's nothing pretentious about him, he's a soldier, he never shies away from a member of his regiment."

John Banbury of The Queen's Dragoon Guards, spoke of how joining the military has offered both Princes a chance at normalcy. Said Mr Banbury, "It's a great thing for them. The funny thing about the Army is that they'll have a more normal existence than doing family appointments. It raises the profile of the Army and that's very important."