The Royals originated in a troop of Cuirassiers formed in 1661, on
the marriage of Charles II with the Infanta Catherine of Portugal,
and which was sent to garrison Tangier, whence they got the name of
"Tangier Cuirassiers." In 1684 it was styled "The Royal Regiment of
Dragoons," and each troop was furnished with a crimson Standard with
badges embroidered upon them of (1) The King, (2) The Black Prince,
(3) Henry V, (4) Henry VI, (5) Henry VII (Queen Mary I), (6) Queen
Elizabeth. Towards the close of the 17th Century it was known as the
"English Horse." At the battle of Dettingen it captured the white
Standard of the French Mousquetaires Noirs. Its gallantry at the battle
of Waterloo, where it formed part of the Union Brigade, is a matter of
history.
Nicknames: "The Birdcatchers," for the capture of a French Eagle at the
battle of Waterloo, and "The Royals."
[Illustration: Grenadier Guards.--Sergeant-Drummer in State Dress.]
[Illustration: Sergeant Ewart capturing the Eagle at Waterloo.]
[Illustration]
(_Depot_, Dunbar.)
On Guidon, the Thistle within the Circle and Motto of the Order of
the Thistle.
"Blenheim," "Ramillies," "Oudenarde," "Malplaquet," "Dettingen,"
"Warburg," "Willems," "Waterloo," "Balaklava," "Sevastopol,"
"Relief of Kimberley," "Paardeberg," "South Africa, 1899-1902."
Motto: _Second to None_.
_Uniform_, Scarlet.
_Facings_, Blue.
_Head-dress_, Bearskin cap, with a silver badge of a white horse at
the back; hackle or plume, white; band, scarlet hackle.
_Forage cap_, Blue, with white vandyked band.
Linked Regiment, 1st Royal Dragoons.
Special arm badge for Sergeants, an Eagle.