EQUERRY

An 'equerry' (pronounced ''ekwairy'') is an officer of honour. Historically, it was a senior attendant with responsibilities for the horses of a person of rank. In contemporary use, it is a personal attendant, usually upon a Sovereign, a member of a Royal Family, or a national representative. They are equivalent to Aides-de-Camp, but the term is specific to the Commonwealth of Nations.

Contents

United Kingdom

Equerries to the British Sovereign

Canada

References

See also

United Kingdom

There are now three equerries to the Sovereign of the United Kingdom, and a larger number of extra equerries - usually retired officers with some connection to the Royal Household. The extra equerries are rarely if ever required for duty but are in attendance on the Sovereign on a daily basis.
For some years the senior equerry has also held the position of Deputy Master of the Household.
The permanent equerry is an officer of major rank or equivalent, recruited from the three services of the British Armed Forces in turn. Many previous equerries have gone on to reach higher rank.
The temporary equerry is a Captain of the Coldstream Guards, who provides part-time attendance. When not required for duty an equerry has additional regimental or staff duties. Senior members of the British Royal Family also have one or two equerries.
The Crown Equerry is in charge of the Royal Mews Department and holds a distinct office.

Equerries to the British Sovereign

Individuals who have served as Equerry to the British Sovereign include:

★ Commander Heber Ackland, Royal Navy 2004 - 2007

★ Major James Duckworth-Chad, MVO Coldstream Guards 2001-2004

★ Lieutenant-Colonel Anthony Charles Richards, LVO Welsh Guards 1999-

★ Squadron Leader Simon Brailsford, MVO Royal Air Force 1998-2001

★ Lieutenant-Commander Toby Williamson, MVO Royal Navy 1995-1998

★ Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Guy Acland, Bt LVO Royal Artillery 1994-1999

★ Major James Patrick, MVO Irish Guards 1992-1995

★ Squadron Leader David Walker, OBE, MVO Royal Air Force 1989-1992

★ Lieutenant-Commander Timothy Laurence, MVO Royal Navy 1986-1989

★ Major Hugh Lindsay, LVO 9th/12th Royal Lancers 1983-1986

★ Squadron Leader Adam Wise, LVO, MBE Royal Air Force 1980-1983

★ Lieutenant-Commander Robert Guy, MVO Royal Navy 1977-1980

★ Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Blair Stewart-Wilson, KCVO Scots Guards 1976-1994

★ Major G R S Broke, MVO Royal Artillery 1974-1977

★ Squadron Leader Peter Beer, LVO Royal Air Force 1971-1974

★ Lieutenant-Commander Jock Slater, LVO Royal Navy 1968-1971

★ Major Charles Howard, LVO 1st Queen's Dragoon Guards 1965-1968

★ Lieutenant-Commander John Garnier, LVO Royal Navy 1962-65 (temporary)

★ Squadron Leader M J P Walmsley, Royal Air Force c. 1964

★ Squadron Leader H S Carver, Royal Air Force c. 1961 (temporary)

★ Lieutenant-Commander P C D Campbell, Royal Navy c. 1959

★ Captain Richard Vickers, LVO Royal Tank Regiment 1956-1959 (temporary)

★ Lieutenant-Colonel The Lord Plunket, KCVO Irish Guards 1954-1975

★ Lieutenant-Commander David Loram, LVO Royal Navy 1954-1957

★ Wing Commander Peter Horsley, AFC Royal Air Force 1952-1953

★ Captain the Lord John Spencer, 8th Earl Spencer, MVO Royal Scots Greys 1950 - 1954^[1]

★ Captain Sir Harold Campbell, KCVO DSO Royal Navy 1936-1954

★ Captain Sir Bryan Godfrey-Faussett, Royal Navy 1910-1936

★ Captain the Hon. Sir Seymour Fortescue Royal Navy 1893-1910 (brother of the Hon. Sir John William Fortescue)^[2]

Canada

In Canada, equerries are always senior army (rather than navy or air force) officers, and are named to serve national representatives of the country.
Major William Foster of the 12e Régiment blindé du Canada, an armoured regiment of the Canadian Forces, is the current Canadian Equerry to the Queen of Canada.^[3] He is only referred to as the Queen's Canadian Equerry while the Queen is present in Canada in exercise of her role as Head of State.
Colonel the Hon Henry Jackman of The Governor General's Horse Guards, Canada's Household Cavalry regiment, is the Equerry to Akaash Maharaj, in the latter's role as head of UNICEF Team Canada.^[4]

References

1. Diana, Princess of Wales biography Royal Household of Buckingham Palace
2. The Crown
3. New Brunswick Royal Visit Handbook, 2002
4. "He Lives by the Sword", ''Globe and Mail'', February 17, 2007

See also

★ Master of the Horse#The United Kingdom Master of the Horse (Equerry)