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  • News
  • 6 Jul 2026
  • North
  • Ceremonial
  • Who We Are

The Royal Yorkshire Regiment returns to York for 20th Anniversary

Ceremonial guards holding flags stand in the grand interior of York Minster. The cathedral's ornate architecture and tall arches are visible. Visitors are seated along the sides, observing the scene.

Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Yorkshire Regiment, returned to one of their spiritual homes as part of a series of regimental events marking a significant milestone.

A ceremonial event inside a church features individuals in uniforms and robes. Two uniformed individuals kneel, holding flags while two others in robes stand close by. A band is visible seated on the left, and a large cross is on display in the background. The scene reflects a formal military or religious ceremony.
A person in a formal military uniform is saluting in the foreground. The person is wearing white gloves and a ceremonial jacket with a distinctive patch. In the background, the scene is blurred, showing an indoor setting with subtle lighting, suggesting a formal or ceremonial event.
A group of individuals in military uniforms are seated indoors, holding programs, and appear focused on an event or ceremony. The setting suggests a formal or commemorative occasion.
A religious ceremony taking place inside a grand church, featuring a clergy member speaking from a pulpit in front of a large altar. Attendees, including several in military uniforms, are seated and standing nearby. The background is adorned with ornate stained glass windows and religious symbols.
A ceremonial parade takes place outside the historic York Minster. Individuals in formal military attire march in formation, some carrying colorful flags and instruments. The grand gothic architecture of the cathedral serves as a backdrop.
A green embroidered banner with the Yorkshire emblem is in the foreground. In the background, there is a blurred view of a musical ensemble in red uniforms performing inside a cathedral or large hall. The scene includes ornate architecture and musical stands.
A ceremonial event is taking place inside a large, ornate cathedral. Several people are standing, holding flags that are lowered and resting on the floor. Stained glass windows are visible in the background, and guests are seated in rows along the sides. The architecture features tall arches and intricate carvings.
A ceremonial event inside a church features individuals in uniforms and robes. Two uniformed individuals kneel, holding flags while two others in robes stand close by. A band is visible seated on the left, and a large cross is on display in the background. The scene reflects a formal military or religious ceremony.

Flag bearers from 2nd Battalion The Royal Yorkshire Regiment kneel to hand over the Regimental Colours to Reverent Canon James Milne (Right) the Precentor of York Minster Cathedral & Reverent Robert Desics (Left) during the regiments 20th Anniversary formation parade.

A person in a formal military uniform is saluting in the foreground. The person is wearing white gloves and a ceremonial jacket with a distinctive patch. In the background, the scene is blurred, showing an indoor setting with subtle lighting, suggesting a formal or ceremonial event.

Flag bearer Warrant Officer Class 2 from 2nd Battalion The Royal Yorkshire Regiment salutes during the flag bearers hand over of the Royal Yorkshire Regiments Colours

A group of individuals in military uniforms are seated indoors, holding programs, and appear focused on an event or ceremony. The setting suggests a formal or commemorative occasion.

Corporal Danso from 2nd Battalion The Royal Yorkshire Regiment reads from the service book during the 20th Anniversary formation parade service.

A religious ceremony taking place inside a grand church, featuring a clergy member speaking from a pulpit in front of a large altar. Attendees, including several in military uniforms, are seated and standing nearby. The background is adorned with ornate stained glass windows and religious symbols.

Reverent Robert Desics gives his sermon in front of 2nd Battalion The Royal Yorkshire Regiment in York Minster Cathedral as part of the regiments 20th Anniversary formation parade.

A ceremonial parade takes place outside the historic York Minster. Individuals in formal military attire march in formation, some carrying colorful flags and instruments. The grand gothic architecture of the cathedral serves as a backdrop.

Soldiers from 2nd Battalion The Royal Yorkshire Regiment march past York Minster Cathedral flying the Regimental colours during their 20th Anniversary formation parade in York City.

A green embroidered banner with the Yorkshire emblem is in the foreground. In the background, there is a blurred view of a musical ensemble in red uniforms performing inside a cathedral or large hall. The scene includes ornate architecture and musical stands.

The Royal Yorkshire Regiment Cap Badge displayed on the Dias of York Minster Cathedral during the Regiments 20th Anniversary formation parade.

A ceremonial event is taking place inside a large, ornate cathedral. Several people are standing, holding flags that are lowered and resting on the floor. Stained glass windows are visible in the background, and guests are seated in rows along the sides. The architecture features tall arches and intricate carvings.

Veteran flag bearers lower the flags during the last post being played in York Minster Cathedral during the 20th Anniversary of the formation of the regiment.

A ceremonial event inside a church features individuals in uniforms and robes. Two uniformed individuals kneel, holding flags while two others in robes stand close by. A band is visible seated on the left, and a large cross is on display in the background. The scene reflects a formal military or religious ceremony.
A person in a formal military uniform is saluting in the foreground. The person is wearing white gloves and a ceremonial jacket with a distinctive patch. In the background, the scene is blurred, showing an indoor setting with subtle lighting, suggesting a formal or ceremonial event.
A group of individuals in military uniforms are seated indoors, holding programs, and appear focused on an event or ceremony. The setting suggests a formal or commemorative occasion.
A religious ceremony taking place inside a grand church, featuring a clergy member speaking from a pulpit in front of a large altar. Attendees, including several in military uniforms, are seated and standing nearby. The background is adorned with ornate stained glass windows and religious symbols.
A ceremonial parade takes place outside the historic York Minster. Individuals in formal military attire march in formation, some carrying colorful flags and instruments. The grand gothic architecture of the cathedral serves as a backdrop.
A green embroidered banner with the Yorkshire emblem is in the foreground. In the background, there is a blurred view of a musical ensemble in red uniforms performing inside a cathedral or large hall. The scene includes ornate architecture and musical stands.
A ceremonial event is taking place inside a large, ornate cathedral. Several people are standing, holding flags that are lowered and resting on the floor. Stained glass windows are visible in the background, and guests are seated in rows along the sides. The architecture features tall arches and intricate carvings.

Service personnel gathered for a formal service at York Minster, as part of a wider programme of activities across Yorkshire commemorating 20 years since the formation of The Yorkshire Regiment (now The Royal Yorkshire Regiment).

The event in York brought together serving soldiers, providing an opportunity to reflect on the Regiment’s proud heritage and its ongoing role today. 

Although not a formal Freedom parade, troops formed up and marched past the Minster and its grounds, creating an impressive spectacle for the crowd outside.

The Royal Yorkshire Regimental Secretary, Colonel Nigel Rhodes said: “One of the reasons we are here today is to celebrate the great work our fantastic soldiers and the work they do and have done in the last twenty years.”

York holds special significance for the Regiment, with the Minster recognised as a symbolic focal point for regimental identity and tradition.

Lance Corporal Matthew Perkins, a York native, said: “I’m from York so it’s nice to come back to York and do a parade where I grew up, especially at the Minister.”

The service offered a moment of reflection for those currently serving, while strengthening the bond between the Regiment and the communities it represents.

“Do you strive for all that makes for peace… Will you seek to heal the wounds of war… Will you work for a just future for all people?”

The Act of Commitment

The day was attended by soldiers from 2 Royal Yorks, with 1 Royal Yorks currently deployed in Germany.

Speakers at the service included Brigadier Lisa Brookes, Commander of 19 Light Brigade; Lieutenant Colonel John Black, Commanding Officer; and Reverend Robert Desics.

The Band of the Royal Yorkshire Regiment provided musical accompaniment throughout, supporting the hymns.

A poignant moment was held to remember those the Regiment has lost, with every name read within the Minster walls. ‘The Last Post’ was sounded in tribute to the fallen soldiers, and the Colours of the Regiment were lowered as a mark of respect.

The service concluded with the Act of Commitment led by Reverend Robert Desics: “Do you strive for all that makes for peace… Will you seek to heal the wounds of war… Will you work for a just future for all people?”

Proudly followed by the soldiers’ response, “We will” with the National anthem sounding after.

The York event is one part of a wider series of commemorations across the region, celebrating two decades of the Regiment’s history and its enduring connection to Yorkshire.