Ceremonial
The HAC has a ceremonial role which is fulfilled by both the Regiment and Veterans
of the Company.
The Regiment provides Guards of Honour for members of the Royal Family and for visiting Heads
of State or Commonwealth Prime Ministers. There are normally two State Visits
per year and on each occasion the Lord Mayor holds a banquet in the visitor's
honour. In 1924, when the regular detachment from the Royal Artillery stationed
at HM Tower of London was disbanded, the HAC took over the task of firing the
salutes from this Royal Fortress. The Regiment's saluting Detachment is raised
from each Squadron and the Liaison Troop in turn.
When members of the HAC Regiment have completed their term of service with the
Territorial Army but wish, in some way, to continue to serve in an organisation
of a military character they have the option, provided they remain as members
of the Company, to join the Company of Pikemen & Musketeers or the Light Cavalry.
The Company of Pikemen & Musketeers was established in 1925. It received a Royal Warrant 30 years later and this
lays down their organisation, numbers and duties. It is an entirely voluntary,
unpaid organisation. It is deemed a privilege to be a member and there is a waiting
list of members of the Company who wish to join the ranks. The pikemen and musketeers wear
the uniform of the period of Charles I and can be seen at State and civic occasions.
They serve as the Lord Mayor's bodyguard.
The Light Cavalry is a more recent addition to the voluntary, unpaid ceremonial units of the Company. It
was formed in 1979 and 25 years later received a Royal Warrant from HM The Queen.
The Light Cavalry differs from the Pikemen & Musketeers in that it is open
to other than Veteran members of the Company; those known as Non-Regimental Members
may also join. The Light Cavalry fulfils a similar ceremonial role to the Pikemen
& Musketeers but with the added glamour of mounted soldiers. The cavalrymen
serve as the escort to the Lady Mayoress.