The honour guard at Buckingham Palace got a distinctly Canadian accent this week as 85 soldiers from an Edmonton-based regiment made history in a centuries-old royal tradition.
Members of the Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians) are standing shoulder to shoulder with Britain’s Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, becoming the first Canadian unit to mount the King’s Life Guard at Horse Guards Parade in London.
“It’s honestly surreal,” said Corporal Nathan Gillis, who traveled from Alberta for the duty. “Walking through those gates each morning, you feel the weight of tradition. We’ve been practising for months because we know the world is watching.”
The ceremonial posting runs from July 18 to August 4, drawing curious tourists and royal watchers alike. For many Canadians visiting London, seeing their countrymen in this prestigious role has become an unexpected highlight.
Margaret Jenkins, a tourist from Toronto, changed her itinerary after hearing the news. “I wasn’t planning to watch the changing of the guard, but when I found out Canadians were participating, I had to come. Seeing our troops there made me surprisingly emotional.”
The Department of National Defence confirmed the deployment came at the personal invitation of King Charles III, who serves as Colonel-in-Chief of the regiment. The invitation followed discussions during the King’s visit to Canada last year, according to sources familiar with the arrangement.
“This is more than ceremonial—it’s diplomatic,” explained Dr. Richard Haddad, a military historian at the University of Toronto. “Having Canadian forces take up such a visible role at Buckingham Palace strengthens ties between Canada and the monarchy at a time when those relationships are evolving.”
The Lord Strathcona’s Horse dates back to 1900 when it was raised for service in the Boer War. Today, it serves as an armoured regiment equipped with Leopard tanks, but its ceremonial mounted troop maintains the cavalry traditions that connect it to Britain’s Household Cavalry.
What makes this posting particularly significant is the rarity of non-British units taking on this duty. While Commonwealth countries have occasionally participated in ceremonial events, mounting the King’s Life Guard represents an unprecedented level of integration.
Lieutenant-Colonel Eric Angell, commanding officer of Lord Strathcona’s Horse, told Global News the opportunity required extensive preparation. “Our soldiers trained for six months prior to deployment. The precision required is extraordinary—from the exact angle of a sword to the timing of each movement.”
The Canadian soldiers are wearing their distinctive Strathcona uniforms rather than adopting British dress, a visible symbol of Canadian identity in one of London’s most photographed traditions.
Social media has erupted with images of the Canadian guards, with #CanadianGuards trending on several platforms. One video showing a Canadian trooper maintaining perfect composure despite a persistent tourist attempting to distract him has garnered over three million views.
Behind the scenes, the deployment has required significant logistical coordination. The regiment brought 25 horses from Canada, which underwent a mandatory quarantine period before joining their British counterparts. The remaining mounts were provided by the Household Cavalry.
“These animals are elite athletes,” explained Master Corporal Jennifer Kowalski, one of the regiment’s senior riders. “They’ve been conditioned for months to handle the noise and crowds of central London. For horses accustomed to Canadian prairies, this environment is completely different.”
The Canadian government has framed the deployment as strengthening bilateral defense cooperation while honoring historical connections. Defense Minister Bill Blair issued a statement highlighting “the enduring relationship between Canadian armed forces and the Crown.”
Not everyone sees the ceremonial duty as meaningful, however. Some observers question the resources directed toward the exercise.
“While it’s certainly prestigious, we might ask whether deploying troops for ceremonial duties abroad represents the best use of our military resources,” said Michael Byers, professor of political science at the University of British Columbia.
For the soldiers themselves, the assignment represents both professional recognition and personal opportunity. Many have never traveled to the United Kingdom before.
Trooper Samantha Diaz, 24, from Lethbridge, called it “the highlight of my military career so far.” She added, “My grandmother immigrated from England, and she cried when I told her I’d be guarding Buckingham Palace. It connects generations in a way I never expected.”
The deployment costs are being shared between the Canadian and British governments, with the Canadian Forces confirming the operation’s budget at approximately $1.2 million, including transportation of personnel and horses.
As the final week of duty approaches, plans are underway for a formal ceremony to mark the conclusion of the Canadian regiment’s historic posting. The unit will return to Edmonton in mid-August, carrying with them a rare distinction in Canada’s military history.
For now, visitors to London can witness this unique Canadian presence daily during the changing of the guard ceremonies, where maple leaves and Stetsons have temporarily joined the iconic landscape of British royal tradition.
