LONDON, March 20 (Xinhua) -- They are famed for their role of guarding Buckingham Palace, home of Queen Elizabeth II in London. The newest recruits to the iconic Grenadier Guards were under the spotlight on Wednesday.
An infantry regiment of the British Army, the Grenadier Guards traces its history back to 1656, and maintaining their golden thread of excellence on operations and on ceremonial duties is no small feat.
The 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards has been chosen to Troop its Color for the Queen's Birthday Parade on June 8.
Before this colourful parade, the new soldiers are destined to be the face of Britain as Queen's Guards at the Royal Palaces and on state ceremonial duties in London.
According to a spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence (MOD): "Despite some having only entered the British Army in the last few months, they have had to perfect hundreds of precision ceremonial drill moves and achieve a standard of turnout of uniform, equipment and bearing, which is nothing short of excellence."
Grenadier Guards and musicians from the Band of the Scots Guards had their annual inspection on Wednesday from some of the army's toughest judges.
The young soldiers were tested on military knowledge, history, values and standards, and their uniforms. Presentation and drill were minutely examined.
Although the main role of their public duties is the delivery of ceremonial, these soldiers maintain their warfighting capabilities with regular operational training. Many will undertake some of the army's toughest frontline training in Belize alongside the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards in the autumn, said the MOD.
