An Officer from The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment give an eyes right to the Major General during the Parade.
Knightsbridge witnessed an impressive spectacle as The Queen’s mounted bodyguard paraded in Hyde Park to prove their readiness for another busy summer of pageantry.
After intense preparations that have involved hundreds of hours of training, honing physical and mental prowess of both horses and men, The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment were put through their paces during their annual inspection by Major General Ben Bathurst the General Officer Commanding the Household Division.
The Major General’s Inspection is the annual test of the regiment’s ability to conduct state ceremonial duties for the year. During the parade 165 men, women and horses, including the Household Cavalry Band with their magnificent Drum Horses, trotted and cantered across the grass of Hyde Park in a display of military mounted precision.
MoD Crown Copyright
Sgt Randall RLC
Last Thursday (11 April) passers-by in Knightsbridge, London were treated to an impressive spectacle as The Queen’s mounted bodyguard paraded in Hyde Park as part of the Major General’s Inspection ahead of a summer of pageantry.
Some 165 men, women and horses, including the Household Cavalry band with their drum horses, paraded in front of Major General Ben Bathurst, the General Officer Commanding the Household Division. This annual parade is a test of the regiment’s ability to conduct state ceremonial duties for the year.
Preparations for the parade were intense and involved several hundred man hours, with many of the soldiers up for most of the night before the parade, making final improvements to the mirror sheen of their silver cuirasses, Jack Boots, and grooming their horses. Excellence is hard won — a pair of Jack Boots can take more than 200 hours of polishing to bring up to parade standard.
The horses came back from grass in early February and have had to undergo their regime in order to return to ceremonial duties fit for Her Majesty The Queen.
Here, we bring you some of the moments captured on the day of the inspection, which was blessed with some of the very best spring weather…
1. Say cheese
Horses from The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment .
Knightsbridge witnessed an impressive spectacle as The Queen’s mounted bodyguard paraded in Hyde Park to prove their readiness for another busy summer of pageantry.
After intense preparations that have involved hundreds of hours of training, honing physical and mental prowess of both horses and men, The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment were put through their paces during their annual inspection by Major General Ben Bathurst the General Officer Commanding the Household Division.
The Major General’s Inspection is the annual test of the regiment’s ability to conduct state ceremonial duties for the year. During the parade 165 men, women and horses, including the Household Cavalry Band with their magnificent Drum Horses, trotted and cantered across the grass of Hyde Park in a display of military mounted precision.
MoD Crown Copyright
Sgt Randall RLC
(Image credit: Sgt Paul Randall RLC)
2. Prior to the the Major Generals Inspection the Parade ground is swept
Horse & Hound Newsletter
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
Prior to the the Major Generals Inspection the Parade ground is swept.
Knightsbridge witnessed an impressive spectacle as The Queen’s mounted bodyguard paraded in Hyde Park to prove their readiness for another busy summer of pageantry.
After intense preparations that have involved hundreds of hours of training, honing physical and mental prowess of both horses and men, The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment were put through their paces during their annual inspection by Major General Ben Bathurst the General Officer Commanding the Household Division.
The Major General’s Inspection is the annual test of the regiment’s ability to conduct state ceremonial duties for the year. During the parade 165 men, women and horses, including the Household Cavalry Band with their magnificent Drum Horses, trotted and cantered across the grass of Hyde Park in a display of military mounted precision.
MoD Crown Copyright
Sgt Randall RLC
(Image credit: Sgt Paul Randall RLC)
3. The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment line up inside Hyde Park Barracks
The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment line up inside Hyde Park Barracks Knightsbridge.
Knightsbridge witnessed an impressive spectacle as The Queen’s mounted bodyguard paraded in Hyde Park to prove their readiness for another busy summer of pageantry.
After intense preparations that have involved hundreds of hours of training, honing physical and mental prowess of both horses and men, The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment were put through their paces during their annual inspection by Major General Ben Bathurst the General Officer Commanding the Household Division.
The Major General’s Inspection is the annual test of the regiment’s ability to conduct state ceremonial duties for the year. During the parade 165 men, women and horses, including the Household Cavalry Band with their magnificent Drum Horses, trotted and cantered across the grass of Hyde Park in a display of military mounted precision.
MoD Crown Copyright
Sgt Randall RLC
(Image credit: Sgt Paul Randall RLC)
4. The Commanding Officer of The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment Lieutenant Colonel Paddy Williams inspects all his horses and soldiers
The Commanding Officer of The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment Lieutenant Colonel Paddy Williams inspects all his Horses and Soldiers.
Knightsbridge witnessed an impressive spectacle as The Queen’s mounted bodyguard paraded in Hyde Park to prove their readiness for another busy summer of pageantry.
After intense preparations that have involved hundreds of hours of training, honing physical and mental prowess of both horses and men, The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment were put through their paces during their annual inspection by Major General Ben Bathurst the General Officer Commanding the Household Division.
The Major General’s Inspection is the annual test of the regiment’s ability to conduct state ceremonial duties for the year. During the parade 165 men, women and horses, including the Household Cavalry Band with their magnificent Drum Horses, trotted and cantered across the grass of Hyde Park in a display of military mounted precision.
MoD Crown Copyright
Sgt Randall RLC
(Image credit: Sgt Paul Randall RLC)
5. The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment in Hyde Park
The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment in Hyde Park.
Knightsbridge witnessed an impressive spectacle as The Queen’s mounted bodyguard paraded in Hyde Park to prove their readiness for another busy summer of pageantry.
After intense preparations that have involved hundreds of hours of training, honing physical and mental prowess of both horses and men, The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment were put through their paces during their annual inspection by Major General Ben Bathurst the General Officer Commanding the Household Division.
The Major General’s Inspection is the annual test of the regiment’s ability to conduct state ceremonial duties for the year. During the parade 165 men, women and horses, including the Household Cavalry Band with their magnificent Drum Horses, trotted and cantered across the grass of Hyde Park in a display of military mounted precision.
MoD Crown Copyright
Sgt Randall RLC
(Image credit: Sgt Paul Randall RLC)
6. The drum horses Mercury (grey) and Perseus (bay) from the Band of The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, who were also inspected
The Drum horses Mercury ( White/grey) and Perseus (Chestnut) from the Band of The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment were also inspected.
Knightsbridge witnessed an impressive spectacle as The Queen’s mounted bodyguard paraded in Hyde Park to prove their readiness for another busy summer of pageantry.
After intense preparations that have involved hundreds of hours of training, honing physical and mental prowess of both horses and men, The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment were put through their paces during their annual inspection by Major General Ben Bathurst the General Officer Commanding the Household Division.
The Major General’s Inspection is the annual test of the regiment’s ability to conduct state ceremonial duties for the year. During the parade 165 men, women and horses, including the Household Cavalry Band with their magnificent Drum Horses, trotted and cantered across the grass of Hyde Park in a display of military mounted precision.
MoD Crown Copyright
Sgt Randall RLC
(Image credit: Sgt Paul Randall RLC)
7. The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment give an eyes right to the Major General during the parade
The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment give an eyes right to the Major General during the Parade.
Knightsbridge witnessed an impressive spectacle as The Queen’s mounted bodyguard paraded in Hyde Park to prove their readiness for another busy summer of pageantry.
After intense preparations that have involved hundreds of hours of training, honing physical and mental prowess of both horses and men, The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment were put through their paces during their annual inspection by Major General Ben Bathurst the General Officer Commanding the Household Division.
The Major General’s Inspection is the annual test of the regiment’s ability to conduct state ceremonial duties for the year. During the parade 165 men, women and horses, including the Household Cavalry Band with their magnificent Drum Horses, trotted and cantered across the grass of Hyde Park in a display of military mounted precision.
MoD Crown Copyright
Sgt Randall RLC
(Image credit: Sgt Paul Randall RLC)
8. An officer from The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment gives an eyes right to the Major General during the parade
An Officer from The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment give an eyes right to the Major General during the Parade.
Knightsbridge witnessed an impressive spectacle as The Queen’s mounted bodyguard paraded in Hyde Park to prove their readiness for another busy summer of pageantry.
After intense preparations that have involved hundreds of hours of training, honing physical and mental prowess of both horses and men, The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment were put through their paces during their annual inspection by Major General Ben Bathurst the General Officer Commanding the Household Division.
The Major General’s Inspection is the annual test of the regiment’s ability to conduct state ceremonial duties for the year. During the parade 165 men, women and horses, including the Household Cavalry Band with their magnificent Drum Horses, trotted and cantered across the grass of Hyde Park in a display of military mounted precision.
MoD Crown Copyright
Sgt Randall RLC
(Image credit: Sgt Paul Randall RLC)
9. Major General Ben Bathurst the General Officer Commanding the Household Division salutes the parade as they ride past in Hyde Park
Major General Ben Bathurst the General Officer Commanding the Household Division salutes the Parade as they ride past in Hyde Park.
Knightsbridge witnessed an impressive spectacle as The Queen’s mounted bodyguard paraded in Hyde Park to prove their readiness for another busy summer of pageantry.
After intense preparations that have involved hundreds of hours of training, honing physical and mental prowess of both horses and men, The Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment were put through their paces during their annual inspection by Major General Ben Bathurst the General Officer Commanding the Household Division.
The Major General’s Inspection is the annual test of the regiment’s ability to conduct state ceremonial duties for the year. During the parade 165 men, women and horses, including the Household Cavalry Band with their magnificent Drum Horses, trotted and cantered across the grass of Hyde Park in a display of military mounted precision.
MoD Crown Copyright
Sgt Randall RLC
(Image credit: Sgt Paul Randall RLC)
For all the latest equestrian news and reports, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday.
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
Former web features editor, point-to-point editor and digital racing editor
Gemma is an experienced journalist, who was a member of H&H staff from 2014 to September 2025. She is passionate about all equestrian sports, including racing and point-to-pointing. She has enjoyed riding out for top trainers Nicky Henderson and Charlie Appleby and took part in a charity Flat race at Epsom in August 2018. Gemma’s has reported from numerous five-star events around Britain and Europe, as well as European championships.
