They are the men who will lay down their life to protect the king.
A 24-hour shift of security is monitoring the casket while the Queen lays in state in Westminster Hall until Monday.
The Yeomen of the Guard, Royal Company of Archers, and Gentlemen at Arms all have storied histories that go back centuries, even if they are not as old as the monarchy itself.
The Yeomen of the Guard, well known for their appearance during the State Opening of Parliament, are the oldest Royal bodyguards, having been established in 1485 by King Henry VII after his victory over Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth. When a king lays in state, they are always present.
Since Henry VIII established the Gentlemen at Arms in 1509, who are often equipped with a spear and a lance, they have served as the monarch’s bodyguard.
They attend a number of significant events, such as the State Opening of Parliament, the arrival of visiting heads of state, and the monarch’s garden parties. Seventy years before his daughter was born in 1952, they guarded King George VI as he lay in state in Westminster Hall.
In Scotland, the Royal Company of Archers, which was founded in 1676, serves as the Sovereign’s Body Guard and is present at all official and ceremonial events. In 2002, they saw the Queen Mother’s lying-in-state.
Members of the Grenadier Guards, who are distinguished by their dapper red tunics and bearskin caps while performing ceremonial tasks, participate in the vigil responsibilities as well. It may be seen with the Imperial State Crown perched on it, wrapped in the Royal Standard.
Guardsmen in the Yeomanry
Four six-hour sessions will make up the 24-hour vigil in Westminster Hall. The guards alternately stand watch for 20 minutes at a time.
The King’s Body Guard of the Yeomen of the Guard are the oldest of the monarch’s protectors and are distinguished by their Tudor-style red, white, and yellow uniforms.
After Henry VII, Henry VIII’s father, beat Richard III at the decisive Battle of Bosworth, which served as the turning point in the War of the Roses, the guards were established.
Henry officially founded the Yeomen as a way of showing his gratitude for his loyal guards’ protection during the fight.
The Yeomen still actively guarded the kings and queens who succeeded Henry VII, but their function is now mainly ceremonial.
They presently consist of 73 military members, all of whom were formerly warrant or non-commissioned officers. They have served in the military for at least 22 years and range in age from 42 to 55.
Yeomen officers might be classified as Exon, Ensign, Lieutenant, or Captain. Yeoman, Yeoman Bed Hanger (YBH), Yeoman Bed Goer (YBG), Divisional Sergeant-Major (DSM), and Messenger Sergeant-Major are the Yeoman positions behind an officer (MSM).
They attend the yearly Royal Maundy Service, during which the king presents silver coins to neighbourhood elderly.
At all investitures and summer garden celebrations at Buckingham Palace, they are also present.
The Yeomen of the Guard, who watch over the Tower of London, are not the same as Yeomen Warders, however. Despite the fact that their outfits are almost similar, this is the case.
They are armed with a partisan halberd and a sword that is not drawn.
Officers at Arms
When King Henry VIII created the Troop of Gentlemen to serve as a mounted escort, they were first known as His Majesty’s Body Guard of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen at Arms.
In 1513, the guard travelled to France with Henry and participated in the Battle of Guinegate against the French. English forces and their allies, the Holy Roman Empire, prevailed in the conflict.
Later in the 16th century, the soldiers were equipped with battleaxes and served as a bodyguard without horses.
The regiment continued to perform regular duty until the 19th century, when it last engaged in combat during the English Civil War.
Their function is now mainly ceremonial. During head of state visits and the State Opening of Parliament, they protect the king.
They are in charge of creating the paths that the Royal Family members go through during garden events.
They consist of 27 “Gentlemen” and five officers. The Chief Whip in the House of Lords is currently always the senior officer, the Captain.
Long white gloves, a red coat with blue velvet cuffs, and white swan feather plumes are all worn by the Gentlemen at Arms.
They use ceremonial combat axes and cavalry swords, some of which date back more than 300 years.
Company of Royal Archers
At each state or ceremonial event, the Royal Company of Archers responds to the monarch’s call to duty.
They started off as a Scottish private archery club in the 17th century.
Their primary responsibility nowadays is serving at the monarch’s yearly garden party at the Palace of Holyrood House.
Approximately 120 people formed channels for the Queen’s visitors to be led forward to greet Her Majesty throughout her reign.
Their second main responsibility is to be present during the Knights of the Thistle’s installation ceremony, which is held outside Edinburgh’s St. Giles’ Cathedral and whose membership is determined entirely by the queen.
As a club for archery, the Royal Company of Archers still exists. Members are selected by election and must be Scots or have significant ties to Scotland.
A dark green tunic with black facings, dark green pants with a black and red stripe, and a hat with the company’s insignia and an eagle feather make up their unique outfit.
They carry wooden bows while on duty.
Both Mr. Wallace and Mr. Jack are anticipated to participate in the vigil held this afternoon beside the Queen’s casket.
She had “committed her life to serving her people,” according to Mr. Wallace, who spoke after the Queen passed away in Balmoral in Scotland last week.
After the news of the Queen’s passing broke, Mr. Jack spoke about how “her lengthy reign was distinguished by hard labour and committed public service,” garnering her the residents’ respect and adoration.