By Canadian Press

Edmonton-based ceremonial mounted army troop guarding London

Jul 15, 2025 | 1:39 PM

OTTAWA — Just over a month after King Charles expressed his support for a “strong and free” Canada in a visit to Ottawa, he invited Canadian soldiers to staff the ceremonial mounted troop which guards the official entrance to Buckingham Palace in London.

The Edmonton-based Lord Strathcona’s Horse regiment are in the British capital for 10 days of service, marking only the third time a non-British unit will mount the King’s Life Guard.

The Life Guard protects the Horse Guards building, which is the official entrance to St. James’s and Buckingham Palace.

The regiment is also known as the Royal Canadians and the members have had to adjust to larger horses used in London for the ceremonial guard.

The only other two times foreign units mounted the Life Guard were also Canadian, including in 2012 when the RCMP took on the role to mark Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee and in 2000 when the Lord Strathcona’s Horse regiment did it to mark its 100th anniversary.

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Canada’s high commission in London says the arrangement symbolizes Canadian nationhood and sovereignty, and is an example of Ottawa’s commitment to its allies.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 15, 2025.

Dylan Robertson, The Canadian Press