Medals parade recognises operational service on Op ELGIN in Kosovo
The Band of the Household Cavalry performing at medal parade at the Royal Hospital Chelsea on 27 April 2026.
Soldiers seen marching during their medal parade at the Royal Hospital Chelsea.
Soldiers at medal parade being supported by their family and friends at the Royal Hospital Chelsea.
Soldiers from C Squadron, the Household Cavalry Regiment, paraded at the Royal Hospital Chelsea on 27 April 2026 to receive medals recognising their service on operations in Kosovo.
The parade, held in bright spring sunshine, marked the conclusion of a demanding six‑month deployment on Op ELGIN 17, the UK’s commitment to NATO’s Kosovo Force (KFOR). The event was attended by families, friends, and the Chelsea Pensioners, reflecting the strong connection between the Regiment, its communities and veterans.
Medals were presented by Her Royal Highness (HRH) The Princess Royal, Colonel of The Blues and Royals, alongside Lieutenant General Sir Edward Smyth‑Osbourne, Colonel of The Life Guards, and General Sir Adrian Bradshaw, Governor of the Royal Hospital Chelsea. Musical support was provided by the Band of the Household Cavalry.
Recognition from the Colonel‑in‑Chief
Her Royal Highness (HRH) The Princess Royal meeting the soldiers during the medal parade at the Royal Hospital Chelsea on 27 April 2026.
HRH The Princess Royal arriving with Lieutenant General Sir Edward Smyth‑Osbourne, Colonel of The Life Guards, and General Sir Adrian Bradshaw, Governor of the Royal Hospital Chelsea.
During the ceremony, HRH The Princess Royal addressed those on parade, paying tribute to their professionalism and commitment during the tour. She also acknowledged the vital support provided by families at home, whose resilience underpins operational success.
“It was a lovely conversation. Her Royal Highness really showed her understanding of the complexities of the Balkans region.”
The ceremony stood in sharp contrast to the harsh winter conditions experienced by soldiers on deployment, where temperatures reached as low as –15 degrees during the tour.
Operational success on Op ELGIN
C Squadron, Household Cavalry Regiment, was deployed as the UK Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) Task Unit on Op ELGIN, a long‑standing NATO‑led stabilisation operation in Kosovo under KFOR.
The Squadron deployed in October 2025 and completed its six‑month tour in April 2026, handing over responsibility to 5th Regiment Royal Artillery (5RA) during a Transfer of Authority on 13 April 2026. The deployment comprised 42 personnel, including 32 from HCR, supported by attachments from 1st Signals Regiment, Honourable Artillery Company, Royal Yeomanry, 3rd Military Intelligence Battalion and 7th Military Intelligence Battalion. Most personnel served for the full duration of the deployment.
“My main role was to go into local communities and, with the help of NATO interpreters, build relationships with key figures such as religious leaders, and feed that information into KFOR Headquarters."
Throughout the tour, C Squadron maintained the UK’s strong reputation within KFOR, contributing directly to security and stability in the Western Balkans.
UK commitment to NATO and the Western Balkans
UK support to KFOR has been extended until at least 2028, reinforcing the UK’s ‘NATO first’ approach and underlining the importance of collective security in a contested geopolitical environment.
Op ELGIN presents complex challenges, including inter‑ethnic tensions and the influence of hostile actors seeking to undermine Kosovo’s stability. KFOR remains a critical stabilising presence, and UK forces play a central role in maintaining situational awareness and reassurance on the ground.
Building understanding through human engagement
Op ELGIN is more than a deployment; it is an investment in future readiness. During the tour, C Squadron operated in small, agile teams supported by interpreters, navigating unfamiliar terrain and engaging directly with local communities.
“We had to understand the full recent history of Kosovo before we started having conversations with people, because that history affects their viewpoint on so many things. That was one of the most challenging parts of the deployment, but our pre‑deployment training was comprehensive and prepared us well.”
This human engagement approach enabled soldiers to build networks that identified social, political, religious and economic factors influencing stability. Anticipating and mitigating these friction points was a key skill developed on the operation, alongside cultural awareness, negotiation and adaptability — all of which are transferable to future deployments worldwide.
A soldier’s perspective
Lance Corporal of Horse Joshua Bayliss, C Squadron, Household Cavalry Regiment during inspection.
Lance Corporal of Horse Joshua Bayliss, C Squadron, Household Cavalry Regiment, served as a second‑in‑command on one of six Human Engagement Teams during the deployment. He said:
“My main role was to go into local communities and, with the help of NATO interpreters, build relationships with key figures such as religious leaders, and feed that information into KFOR Headquarters.
“We had to understand the full recent history of Kosovo before we started having conversations with people, because that history affects their viewpoint on so many things. That was one of the most challenging parts of the deployment, but our pre‑deployment training was comprehensive and prepared us well.”
After the medals parade, Josh met HRH The Princess Royal, Colonel in Chief of the Blues and Royals, and said: “It was a lovely conversation. Her Royal Highness really showed her understanding of the complexities of the Balkans region.”
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