The Blues and Royals were formed in 1969 from an amalgamation of the Royal Horse Guards (Blues) and The Royal Dragoons (1st Dragoons). The Royal Horse Guards trace their origins back to a force raised by Oliver Cromwell prior to the second invasion of Scotland, but the parliamentary officers were replaced by royalists in 1660.

The regiment then saw almost continuous service in Flanders, the Boyne, the War of the Austrian Succession and the Seven Years War during which the Marquis of Granby (famous in regimental folklore) commanded the Regiment. The regiment was especially favoured by King George III and, with the appointment of the Duke of Wellington as its Colonel, was elevated to the status of Household Cavalry in 1813.

The Regiment went on to see service during the Peninsula Campaign, fighting at the decisive battle of Vittoria in 1813, and as part of The Heavy Cavalry Brigade, at the Battle of Waterloo.
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