Reigning royalty

The mounted Princesses of Europe 1890 – 1920 as created by Alec Sim

- Chris Bartlett

Here in the UK we are accustomed to seeing our Majesty the Queen, at the Trooping of the Colour mounted on a horse from the 1950’s to 1986, as head of all our armed forces. Also, our Princess Anne (The Princess Royal) is also seen in the uniform of the Blues and Royals as their Commander in Chief (C in C) at the Trooping of the Colour ceremony. She is also a Commander in Chief of very many other regiments.

What many people are now not aware of is that during the 19th century the Princess’s from all the royal houses of Europe and Russia were traditionally honorary ceremonial Commanders in Chief of numerous regiments.