London, GB | Formerly of New York, Buenos Aires, Fife, and the Western Cape. | Saoránach d’Éirinn.

The Prince of Wales in Philadelphia

THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA welcomed the Prince of Wales on his recent visit with a guard of honor composed of members of its most ancient military unit, the First Troop, Philadelphia City Cavalry. Organized in 1774 as the Light Horse of the City of Philadelphia, it describes itself as the “oldest continuously active military unit in service to the nation”. As an active armored cavalry troop, it forms part of the 28th Division, while as an historic and ceremonial unit it is a component of the Centennial Legion (of which my grandfather served as commander). Since the most unfortunate demise of New York’s Seventh Regiment, it probably takes the prize for swankiest unit in the States.

Previously: Old Dominion Will Receive Her Majesty | The Duke of York in New York | Your Royal Highness, Caed Mile Failte

Published at 7:12 pm on Tuesday 30 January 2007. Categories: Great Britain Military Monarchy.
Comments

Yes, a very sharp outfit alright. But it’s too bad that none of America’s fine regiments counts the Prince of Wales or Her Majesty as a Colonel-in-Chief. If not officially, at least honorifically.

— The Monarchist 1 Feb 2007 9:46 pm

Organized in 1774 as the Light Horse of the City of Philadelphia, it describes itself as the “oldest continuously active military unit in service to the nation”.

Egads, have they not heard of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts? (Or will their spokesman attempt to parse “active,” “service,” and “nation”?)

— R.J. O'Hara 9 Feb 2007 11:12 pm

Indeed, I am quite sure they are aware of the AHAC (fine old unit that it is), hence the precise verbiage. And hence why I further qualified their precise verbiage with “it describes itself as…”

— Andrew Cusack 10 Feb 2007 12:01 am

No disrespect, but would those helments look more comical then freightning during a mounted charge? I just see them fluffing up and down around a battlefield, eek!

It’s quite cool though, besides that critique.

— Ancient Weapons 30 Dec 2010 3:53 pm

I have to say I wish all of the American military’s dress uniforms looked like this, or at least our servicemen wore their current ones more often, instead of those drab fatigues. Everytime I see a Marine in uniform I feel terribly intimidated- which is good.

— K. Dontoh 4 Jan 2011 9:30 pm

The Russian Chevalier Guard of the Napoleonic era had very intimidating caterpillar crest helmets

http://stephane.f.david.free.fr/NTW/MOE/Screens/Russie/ChevalierGuard_1805.jpg

The ones above do look a bit overdone though

— Gambrinus Glubbe 21 Nov 2014 2:26 am
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