The Queen is announced as Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Lancers
Published
To mark the appointment, Her Majesty hosted a reception at Clarence House.

The Queen’s father, the late Major Bruce Shand, served with the 12th Lancers during World War II, winning the Military Cross during the retreat to Dunkirk in 1940 and again at El Alamein in 1942, shortly after which he was seriously wounded and taken prisoner in an action in which his crew was killed.
At Clarence House, Her Majesty met the current Colonel of the Regiment, Colonel Richard Charrington and the Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Will Richmond.
The Royal Lancers are an armoured cavalry regiment. Its famous skull and crossbones cap badge, referred to as The Motto, is one of the most recognisable in the British Army and represents its motto: ‘Death or Glory’.
Her Majesty also awarded World War II Veteran, Lieutenant Michael de Burgh with the Buchan Medal and citation.

The Buchan Medal has been initiated following the bequest from the Buchan family in memory of Lieutenant Patrick (Paddy) Buchan, killed in action whilst serving in Italy with the 9th Lancers on 10th September 1944: he was an exact contemporary of Michael de Burgh, also a 9th Lancer.
It can be awarded to any serving or retired officer or soldier or other supporter of the Royal Lancers or its antecedents who has contributed in some conspicuous manner to the efficiency or military honour of the Regiment over a prolonged period.
There was also a chance to celebrate Lieutenant Michael de Burgh’s 100th birthday!

Mr de Burgh served with the 9th Lancers during World War II, which then amalgamated with the 12th Lancers in 1960. Michael was wounded just 14 days before victory in Europe was declared and his gunner was the last 9th Lancer fatality of the war.
Her Majesty’s appointment follows a long Royal history with the Regiment. Queen Elizabeth II was appointed Colonel in Chief of the 16th/5th Lancers by her father on her 21st birthday, 21st April 1947. Her Majesty retained that appointment through the subsequent Queen’s Royal Lancers and Royal Lancers amalgamations until her death.

Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother became Colonel of the 9th/12th Lancers upon its formation in 1960, having been Colonel of 9L since 1953. Her Majesty held that appointment until her death in 2002.

Accordingly, Her late Majesty bestowed the unusual suffix ‘Queen Elizabeths’ Own’ upon The Royal Lancers when awarding the amalgamated Regiment a new Guidon in 2017, the 70th year of her Colonelcy, reflecting the long-standing involvement of both her and her mother with its two parent regiments.
Queen Camilla has had an informal relationship with the Regiment over many years given her father’s connection. Her Majesty (as The Duchess of Cornwall) last met with the Regiment in October 2020 via video link, on the Lancers’ ‘Tank Tea’ series.
Related content


A speech by Her Majesty The Queen at a reception, hosted by the Anne Frank Trust, to mark Holocaust Memorial Day
Let’s unite in our commitment to take action, to speak up and to ensure that the words “Never Forget” are a guiding light that charts a path towards a better, brighter, and...


A message from The King to the people of Glasgow celebrating the city’s 850th anniversary.
It goes without saying that people really do make Glasgow. As one of the most diverse cities in Scotland and beyond, it is entirely fitting that the celebrations to mark this...






A speech by Her Majesty The Queen at a reception for winners of The Queen's Commonwealth Essay Competition 2024 at Buckingham Palace
Thanks to your talents, your readers are taken on amazing journeys with you across the Commonwealth, from Gambia to Grenada, from Bangladesh to Botswana, from Malta to...
The Queen is presented an Honorary Doctorate of Literature by The Princess Royal
21 November 2024

Her Majesty The Queen’s speech to the CHOGM Women’s Forum
Leaders from around the globe are willing to meet, as equals, and to have difficult, and constructive, conversations.







More details on the upcoming State Visit by The Emperor and Empress of Japan


The King and Queen, joined by Members of the Royal Family, will mark the 80th anniversary of the D-Day Landings
A speech by Her Majesty The Queen at the Charleston Festival 2024
Books and gardens are faithful friends to whom we can always turn to. They both have the ability to comfort, to cheer and to connect us with people and nature, reminding us...


A speech delivered by The Queen at a Reception to recognise those who support survivors of sexual assault and to relaunch of the Washbags Project
Thank you for sharing your stories, thank you for your kindness, thank you for not remaining strangers to those enduring the darkest of times, and, most of all, thank you for...
The Queen's speech at a reception to recognise those who support survivors of sexual assault
Your stories and your experiences are vital tools as we seek to bring about change: to forge a world in which people, whoever and wherever they are, do not live in fear of...


A speech by Her Majesty The Queen on her first visit to The Royal Lancers (Queen Elizabeths’ Own), having been appointed as Colonel-in-Chief
My father described the Regiment as a “highly efficient entity, highly skilled, and full of personalities”, I have no doubt that your upcoming deployments will be...

The Queen's support of the Arts

