On March 1st at Llandaff Cathedral, the classic green and white of pinned leeks was displayed alongside The Royal Welsh hackle, marking St. David’s Day.
Members of the Regular and Reserve forces from the 1st and 3rd Battalions convened in Cardiff, joined by veterans and special guests, to honor St David’s Day.
The event also celebrated the 20th anniversary of The Royal Welsh.
In 2006, a celebration in the capital marked the unification of the Royal Welch Fusiliers with the Royal Regiment of Wales, whose historical roots extend over three centuries.
Marking two decades of The Royal Welsh
Lieutenant Colonel Mark Adams, the Commanding Officer of 3 Royal Welsh, remarked: “The Regiment has honored St David’s Day since 1689, showcasing our Welsh heritage, which continues to be an essential element of the Regiment’s combat effectiveness today.
"Regardless of where our troops are stationed, we will always take the time to commemorate this significant date in the regimental calendar.”
The Regiment has been honoring St David’s Day since 1689, as noted by Lt Col Mark Adams, the Commanding Officer of 3 Royal Welsh.
The musical support within the cathedral was delivered by The Royal Welsh’s Regimental Band and Corps of Drums.
Royal Welsh troops also held official parades, engaged in athletic contests, and enjoyed a formal luncheon, during which selected soldiers participated in the renowned leek-eating tradition after entering the dining hall behind the Regimental Goat Major, mascot, and drums.
Customs and traditions of the regiment during ceremonies
Brigadier Nigel Crewe‑Read OBE, Colonel of the Regiment, remarked: “The service at Llandaff Cathedral not only united the broader regimental family but also provided an opportunity to honor the Royal Welsh personnel who lost their lives or were injured during operational deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan over the past two decades, along with all those from previous conflicts.”
Alongside an imminent operational deployment, The Royal Welsh is set to organize a Party in the Park at Cardiff Castle on September 12, commemorating the past twenty years since its establishment, in addition to its rich 337-year history.
At Combermere Barracks in Windsor, the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards will engage in various activities and festivities to celebrate St David’s Day.
The day pays tribute to our heritage, which is deeply rooted in Wales, as noted by Lt Col (Retd) Guy Bartle-Jones, Regimental Adjutant of the Welsh Guards.
Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Guy Bartle-Jones, the Regimental Adjutant, remarked: “From the very beginning, St David’s Day has played a pivotal role in the history of the Welsh Guards.
"On the 1st of March in 1915, we first took our post at Buckingham Palace, and since then, we have commemorated this occasion as a regimental day with a service, parade, and the presentation of leeks.
Welsh Guards celebrate their unique heritage on St David’s Day.
A delegation from the 5th/7th Battalion The Royal Australian Regiment (RAR) will also honor St David’s Day in Windsor, symbolizing a longstanding connection with the Welsh Guards that began in 1965.
In 2023, a contingent of the RAR participated in the St David’s Day parade at the barracks, marking the first occasion that HRH The Prince of Wales attended as the Colonel of the Welsh Guards.
No matter where we find ourselves in the world, we will always honor this remarkable occasion, Lt Col (Retd) Guy Bartle-Jones.
"This day is truly one of unity, and we will always honor this remarkable event no matter where we find ourselves around the globe.”
Getting ready for the deployment to Cyprus
The battalion is gearing up for a deployment to Cyprus, which will be only the second occasion the Welsh Guards have been stationed on the island — the last time being in 1975 as part of a United Nations Peacekeeping mission.
The battalion is set to take on the duty of ensuring security throughout the sovereign base areas prior to shifting into its function as the Regional Operations Battalion, offering Defence a quickly deployable strategic alternative in case of unrest in the Middle East or Africa.
