This morning F Company Scots Guards provided a Guard of Honour on Horse Guards Parade for the Chief of Defence Staff for India, Admiral Sunil Lanba, who is visiting the Ministry of Defence as a guest of the British Chief of the Defence Staff, General Sir Nick Carter.
Admiral Sun Lanba was met at the historic Horse Guards building by the Chief of the Defence Staff, General Sir Nick Carter, and Commander Household Division Major General Ben Bathurst. He paid a short visit to the Major General’s office which is the historic room used by the Duke of Wellington when he commanded the British Army in the early 19th century. Admiral Sunil Lanba, General Sir Nick Carter, and General Ben Bathurst then moved to Horse Guards Parade to inspect the Guard of Honour.
The young F Company Scots Guardsmen, many of them fresh from training, were on parade with the Regimental Colour, wreathed with laurel leaves today because it is the anniversary of one of the Battalion’s many battle honours. Admiral Sunil Lanba was greeted with a ‘General Salute, Present Arms’. They were supported by music performed by the Band of the Irish Guards.
The Guards were on parade in Summer Guard Order today as the guard doubled as their annual inspection by the Major General Commanding The Household Division. They must be immaculate in bearing, dress and drill, all their administration and training in good order, if they are to be declared fit to deliver a Summer of Ceremonial as our icons of Britain.