[4] During that time it was tasked with defending part of the North German Plain in the event of an invasion by the Warsaw Pact.

[5] As a result of the Options for Change Review in 1991, The Blues and Royals formed a union for operational purposes with the Life Guards as the Household Cavalry Regiment.

[7] Newly commissioned officers in the Blues and Royals have the rank of Cornet, rather than Second Lieutenant as is the standard in the rest of the British Army.

When reporting to his commander, Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick, in the heat of the moment he is said to have saluted without wearing his headdress, having lost it earlier.

[9] When the Household Cavalry mounts an escort to the Sovereign on State occasions, a ceremonial axe with a spike is carried by a Farrier Corporal of Horse.

The axe is also a reminder of the days when the Sovereign's escorts accompanied royal coaches and when English roads were very bad.

It is also said that in those times, if a horse had to be killed, its rider had to bring back a hoof, cut off with the axe, to prove to the Quartermaster that the animal was dead and hence preventing fraudulent replacement.

[14] The modern mess dress worn by officers of the regiment reflects the traditions of the Royal Dragoons and includes a scarlet jacket with dark blue facings.