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Colonel In Chief Of The South Alberta Light Horse - History
A ceremonial and visible important position is the Colonel-in-Chief, who is always a member of the royal family.
This position helps fuse the regiment into the national fabric. Regiments often take their name from a one-time association with the royal family. Every "King's", "Queen's" and "Prince of Wales's" regiment derives its title from a specific royal who held that title. Once honoured with such a title, the regiment keeps it for life. For example, The Green Howards (Princess of Wales's Own Regiment of Yorkshire) derived its subtitle from its association with Alexandra, consort of Edward VII, while that couple were still the Prince and Princess of Wales -- and the regiment still uses Alexandra's cypher as its badge. Another example is Diana, Princess of Wales, who as Colonel-in-Chief of The Royal Hampshire Regiment became Colonel-in-Chief of a new regiment when it merged in 1992 to form The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment our affiliated regiment from Britain.
While Diana relinquished the colonelcy upon her divorce, the regiment continues to bear her title.
Due principally to the intermarriage of Queen Victoria's children with foreign royalty, many European monarchs were at one time colonels of British regiments -- including the emperors of Russia and Germany. Still holding such positions are the monarchs of Norway, Denmark and the Netherlands. These colonelcies exist throughout the Commonwealth nations which still recognise the Queen as Head of State.
2005, The Countess of Wessex becomes Colonel In Chief of the South Alberta Light Horse
Col Johnson presents the guidon to HRH The Countess of Wessex
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As part of the Centennial of the Regiment in 2005, a decision was made to initiate a request to the Royal Family regarding the appointment of a Colonel-in-Chief for the Regiment.
The Colonel-in-Chief is traditionally the royal patron of a regiment and while not an operational appointment, the role is one centered on fidelity and tradition.
The Regimental Foundation subsequently approached the Royal Household in 2005 requesting that consideration be made for Her Royal Highness, The Countess of Wessex to accept this appointment.
The Foundation was delighted that HRH indicated that she would be honoured to assume this role and, in the summer of 2006, the Regiment hosted HRH at Canmore, Alberta where she was presented with a Regimental pin in appreciation.
View the gallery of pictures taken on that visit.
The Regiment is currently awaiting the final approval of the appointment of The Countess of Wessex as the Colonel-in-Chief of the South Alberta Light Horse.
The Countess currently holds appointments as Colonel-in-Chief to the following Regiments:
Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps
The Lincoln and Welland Regiment
A detailed background may be found here.
2007 Christmas Message from Colonel-in-Chief, HRH The Countess of Wessex
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