Its members are recruited from the ranks of all three branches of the Spanish Armed Forces and receive the same combat training as regular soldiers.

Later, Charles V's father, Philip the Handsome arrived in Spain in 1502, bringing with him his Guardia Borgoñona ("Burgundian Guards").

By 1936, it included the infantry Presidential Guards Battalion (Batallón de Guardia Presidencial), which remained loyal to the Republic during the civil war.

el Generalísimo), was activated, which included a mounted squadron (the Guardia Mora) which was first raised from surplus personnel of the Regulares.

Today it is a four-battalion unit that serves as the protocol and security service of the Spanish royal family.

In 2002, a section from the Royal Guards Land Army Company deployed to Kosovo as part of peacekeeping efforts there.

It is involved in the changing of the guard ceremony (Cambio de la Guardia) at the Royal Palace.