I hope those Naval Officers saluted the Cenotaph if they passed it. It's tradition for any officer in uniform passing a War Memorial to do so. I know I did when I was still in. Also I was saluted coming out of Buckingham Palace after a garden party by the Foot Guards which was a bit special, especially when you hear 'Officer on Parade!' in front of thousands of onlookers. One of the highlights of my career.
A salute when using a sword can be done a number of ways, but with Household Cavalry they go from slope sword to carry sword when a superior officer approaches, the officer then returns the salute in the manner prescribed by their service, then the horse guard goes back to the slope sword. Those Naval Officers were Sub Lieutenants and all Submariners so by my assumption they graduated from Submariner School (dolphins on chest instead of wings). They would go from Midshipmen or Promotion from Lower deck to wear the single ring. Then specialize.
Ah that's ok, you guys are not all bad. It takes all sorts. I've had some great holidays in the USA, visiting Key West, Washington DC (including Arlington Cemetary), New York and Boston. Never had any issues. Just think though, all this history could have been yours if you hadn't thrown the tea overboard in Boston all those years ago😂 Respect and good wishes to you!
I think you'll find it was the other way round: the guard saluted them and the officers returned the salute. In fact, if I can be really pedantic for a moment, the guard saluted the King, because the officers hold the King's commission and therefore represent him (or their head of state if they're foreign). The officers then return the compliment on the King's behalf.
The guard does not salute anyone until he is on guard duty! He can take the stance of an honorary salute and that's it, but he is not obliged to salute anyone No one except the directly superior officer is allowed to talk with guard, not even the King himself (those are the rules). There is a story from Yugoslavia Marshal Tito, Commander-in-Chief and President of the Republic of Yugoslavia approached a guard during one visit and asked the guard "Soldier can I see your weapon?" Soldier literally shouted "Comrade marshal, step away from me!" needless to say, the entire entourage of politicians, journalists and military escorts was shocked A day later, the official announcement of the Ministry of Defense "the soldier on guard who shouted at Marshal Tito was praised for his excellence in work and rewarded with 15 days of leave"
For those not aware - the Guard is saluting the Royal Navy officers. They salute back which is required. When in presence of a superior officer you salute because you're saluting the monarch through them.
The member of the Life Guards (white plumes) who along with the Blues and Royals form the Household Cavalry was saluting the junior naval officers as they moved past. The RN Officers were returning the Life Guards' salute because the Trooper is junior to the Lieutenant and Sub-Lieutenant, not the other way round.
So, I'm a Civil War reenactor in the US and an Army veteran. My unit elected me to command the unit in the grade of First Lieutenant [we vote on our officers and company sergeant]. We march in three parades a year, two on Independence Day and one on Veterans Day [Remembrance Day in the UK]. Naturally, we carry our colors on parade and you'd be surprised at how many people render a salute to us as we pass. Since my promotion to officer, when I see someone saluting I try and catch their eye and return the salute with my sword. It's a small courtesy, but an important one. My respects to my brother horse-soldiers in the Household Cavalry from an old American cavalry corporal who did his hitch a million years ago.
It's not often you see Royal Navy Officers in black caps, I thought they wore white caps all year round. But it looks like they don't. EDIT: I now know that this is the NEW regulation for those sailors serving in Submarines of the Royal Navy and sees a return of a tradition in the Navy from the past.
Fast forward to 56 seconds. Both of the soldiers on the horses are already holding their swords and they acknowledge the salute or salute the officers who return it
Since when did RN wear black caps? I wore a white cap for 24 years, black caps were used in war time only. I think these are more likely to be from another country’s navy than the RN. Still a great remark of respect from all concerned though and good observation from the mounted guard.
@@dynamitewallflowerit’s not a “mark of respect” between each of the armed forces, the Life Guards are saluting the King’s commission that each of the RN Officers hold - something they would do to any commissioned officer of any service going past them. They would (like any other member of the military) also salute, irrespective of the rank, any holder of the Victoria Cross - with the proviso that they would have to know they were a VC holder..
And if they're on duty they are in fact, " The King's LifeGuard" as well as being part of the LifeGuards Mounted Regiment, just as troopers of the Blues and Royals are also "The King's Lifeguard" when they're on duty as well as being the Blues and Royals Mounted Regiment.
@@catzkeet4860 There is a similar video on YT where the guard shouts "make way for the Captain of the King's Life Guard" as he arrives on horseback wearing the frock coat uniform and cap. Something i had never seen before.
Oh dear. “Carry Swords” is a technical term where the sword is held upright when the trooper is at attention as opposed to “Slope Swords” when the trooper is at ease. But in the ordinary sense you are right. The Mounted Regiment always carry their swords with them.
@@Scipionic1941 I was using simpleton term to explain to someone else. My grandfather was the Queens guard I'm well aware of the terminology. But thank you for your reply
Salutes are the same in all three forces whether with the hand, sword or rifle (except the Royal Navy has a closed hand and not the open hand of the Army and RAF.
@@jamesgunn6233The RN doesn't salute with a closed hand, the hand is angled so as not to show the palm (Queen Victoria didn't like the state of a matelot's hands apparently).
When I was in (26 years RAF) - Navy were "Matelots", RAF were "Crabs" (because the aircraft nose rarely points in the exact same direction as the aircraft flight path, hence 'crabbing') and Army were known as Pongos (because wherever the Army goes the Pong Goes).
That's ofc not to say that after an hour you get to knock off. Once the troopers finish their guard duty they then if they're mounted, untack and feed and water their horse, then groom then(they may sponge them down if it's been a hot day) then they get to disassemble all their tack and clean and polish it all, and then do the same with their own kit. This literally takes HOURS. If they're not mounted they still have to deal with their personal kit and assist the stable men in taking care of the rest of the mounts. This ceremonial duty is physically HARD WORK with early hours and late nights and a high attention to detail required for every duty, which is why it's so valuable in training soldiers.
Retired US Navy, didn't have much contact with Royal Navy Sailors while I was in, and I was thinking that they were Chief Petty Officer's when I first saw this video , and was surprised when I saw that they were saluted by the Guards.
@@Scipionic1941 At one time it also denoted Warrant Officer and Chief or Commissioned WO in the RN which i believe were long service specialist or Special Duty officers later. I have never understood why the RN does not have a proper ring for the equivalent of a US Navy Ensign (2nd Lieutenant level) and the one and a half rings for a sub lieutenant because the "snotty" or Midshipman wa apparently not considered an officer. Any former matelots welcome to advise. The subject or RN ratings over the years as trades changed is fascinating too.
@@mipamat5804 Artificers had a different rig too, not sure of the current regulations. Nice to see that the Admiral levels have changed their badges on the shoulder boards to match the NATO 4-1 star ranks as it was confusing to USN personnel with an Admiral having 3 on his shoulder even though a 4 star rank.
@@Roheryn100 or if a second lieutenant with a map wander aimlessly until a Lance Corporal says "Sir your compass is being affected by the metal buckle" "oh yes i see thankyou Corporal"
Good to sea Matelots with beards, not a fan of them in the army except in the traditional roles. One thing I would like to see is a decent cotton weave white shirt for the Andrew, the current ones are cheap looking and poor quality. My old regiment uses a private supplier for decent thick woven cotton quality for all ranks. And jerseys and ties too. Brown shoes also. For panache one has be cavalry. The current wearing of berets in the Andrew is also a pet hate. An emblazoned cricket type cap looks much smarter.
