They are the senior regular regiments in the British Army, with traditions dating from 1660, and act as the King's personal bodyguard.

One of HCR's squadrons has been assigned to the airborne role, supporting 16 Air Assault Brigade Combat Team, since 2003.

The members of the Household Division have sometimes been required to undertake special tasks as the Sovereign's personal troops.

These include the provision of a Sovereign's Escort, most commonly seen on The King's Birthday Parade (Trooping the Colour) in June each year.

[6] New troopers and officers are generally first assigned to London upon completion of horsemanship training, referred to, alongside the rest of HCMR personnel, as Mounted Dutymen,[7] and remain there for up to three years.

[9] Every summer, the King's Troop, Royal Horse Artillery takes over the role, while the HCMR conducts important regimental training outside of London.

[11] The rank names and insignia of non-commissioned officers in the Household Cavalry are unique in the British Army:[12] Recruits were required to have a very high moral character.

They also dealt with the "humane dispatch of wounded and sick horses",[22] accomplished with the large spike on the end of their axes.

Then they used the sharp blade of the axe to chop off the deceased animal's hoof, which was marked with its regimental number.

The distinctive uniform and equipment of the farriers of The Life Guards—blue tunic, black plume and axe—is a historic reminder of the old British Army of the days of James Wolfe.

[23] Every cavalry regiment in the Army, other than the Royal Horse Guards (The Blues), originally wore scarlet for all ranks, except the farriers.

Farriers were garbed invariably in sombre blue and bore axes, worn at the side, like the swords of their comrades.

In April 2024, after being spooked by falling concrete during their daily morning exercise, five horses unseated their riders and went on a panicked flight through central London.

The museum includes a window into the working stables of the King's Life Guard, allowing visitors to watch ongoing care of the horses throughout the day.

A volunteer team organise tours and events and, in particular, administer the regiment's extensive material, documentary and photographic archives.