Editing Coldstream Guards

{{Short description|Infantry regiment of the British Army}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}}
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name                     = Coldstream Guards
| image                         = Coldstream Guards Badge.png
| caption                       = Regimental badge of the Coldstream Guards{{efn|The breast star of the [[Order of the Garter]].}}
| dates                         = 1650–present
| country                       = {{flag|Commonwealth of England}} (1650–1660)<br>{{flagcountry|Kingdom of England}}<br>(1660–1707)<br>{{flagcountry|Kingdom of Great Britain}} (1707–1800)<br>{{flagcountry|United Kingdom}}<br/>(1801–present)
| branch                        = {{army|UK}}
| type                          = [[Infantry]]
| size                          = One battalion – 559 personnel<ref>{{cite web|url=https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2018-11-22/194616|title=Army – Question for Ministry of Defence|page=1|access-date=14 December 2020|archive-date=26 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226013531/https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2018-11-22/194616|url-status=dead}}</ref><br/>One 
independent incremental company<br/>One [[Army Reserve (United Kingdom)|reserve]] company
| role                          = 1st Battalion and No 17 Company&nbsp;– Light Role Infantry<br />No 7 Company&nbsp;– [[Public Duties]]
| command_structure             = [[Guards and Parachute Division]]
| ceremonial_chief              = [[King Charles III]]
| ceremonial_chief_label        = Colonel-in-Chief
| colonel_of_the_regiment       = Lt Gen Sir [[James Bucknall]]
| commander4                    = Col. Toby P. O. Till
| commander4_label              = Regimental Lieutenant Colonel
| garrison                      = RHQ – [[Wellington Barracks|London]]<br>1st Battalion—[[Victoria Barracks, Windsor|Windsor]]<br>No 7 Company—[[Wellington Barracks|London]]<br>No 17 Company [[Hammersmith]]
| identification_symbol         = [[Image:GuardsTRF.svg|65px]]
| identification_symbol_label   = Tactical Recognition Flash
| identification_symbol_2       = Red<br /><small>Right side of [[Bearskin]] cap</small>
| identification_symbol_2_label = Plume
| identification_symbol_4       = COLDM GDS
| identification_symbol_4_label = Abbreviation
| nickname                      = ''The Lilywhites''
| motto                         = ''[[Nulli Secundus (disambiguation)|Nulli Secundus]]''<br />([[Latin]] for 'Second to None')
| march                         = Quick: "[[Milanollo#Coldstream|Milanollo]]"<br />Slow: "Figaro" ("[[Non più andrai]]" from ''[[The Marriage of Figaro]]'')
| battles                       = {{Plainlist|
* [[English Civil War]]
* [[Monmouth Rebellion]]
* [[War of the Spanish Succession]]
* [[War of the Austrian Succession]]
* [[Seven Years' War]]
* [[American War of Independence]]
* [[Napoleonic Wars]]
* [[Crimean War]]
* [[Second Boer War]]
* [[World War I]]
* [[World War II]]
* [[Malayan Emergency]]
* [[Mau Mau Uprising]]
* [[Cyprus Emergency]]
* [[Gulf War]]
* [[UNPROFOR|Bosnia]]
* [[Iraq War]]
* [[Operation Herrick]]
}}
| anniversaries                 = [[St George's Day]] (23 April)
}}

The '''Coldstream Guards''' is the oldest continuously serving regular{{efn|The [[Honourable Artillery Company]], a reserve unit, being the oldest continuously serving regiment in the British Army as a whole.}} [[regiment]] in the [[British Army]].<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|title=Coldstream Guards|url=https://www.army.mod.uk/who-we-are/corps-regiments-and-units/infantry/coldstream-guards/|access-date=2021-03-10|website=www.army.mod.uk|language=en-GB}}</ref> As part of the [[Household Division]], one of its principal roles is the protection of the [[Monarchy of the United Kingdom|monarchy]]; due to this, it often participates in state ceremonial occasions. The Regiment has consistently provided formations on deployments around the world and has fought in the majority of the major conflicts in which the British Army has been engaged.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Coldstream Guards Official Charity Website|url=https://coldstreamguards.org.uk/|access-date=2021-03-10|website=Coldstream Guards|language=en}}</ref>

The Regiment has been in continuous service and has never been amalgamated. It was formed in 1650 as 'Monck's Regiment of Foot' and was then renamed 'The Lord General's Regiment of Foot Guards' after the [[Stuart Restoration|Restoration]] in 1660.<ref name="auto1">{{Cite book|last=Davies|first=Godfrey|url=https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/001589030|title=The early history of the Coldstream guards|date=1924|publisher=The Clarendon press|location=Oxford}}</ref> With [[George Monck, 1st Duke of Albemarle|George Monck's]] death in 1670 it was again renamed 'The Coldstream Regiment of Foot Guards' after [[Coldstream|the location in Scotland]] from which it marched to help restore the monarchy in 1660.<ref name="auto1"/> Its name was again changed to the 'Coldstream Guards' in 1855 and this is still its present title.<ref>{{Cite book|url=http://archive.org/details/TheColdstreamGuards1650-2000|title=The Coldstream Guards|language=English}}</ref>

Today, the Regiment consists of: Regimental Headquarters, a single [[battalion]] (the 1st Battalion), an independent incremental company (Number 7 Company, maintaining the customs and traditions, as well as carrying the Colours of 2nd Battalion), a Regimental Band, a [[Army Reserve (United Kingdom)|reserve company]] (Number 17 Company) and individuals at training establishments and other extra regimental employment.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Regimental Headquarters|url=https://coldstreamguards.org.uk/pages/regimental-headquarters|access-date=2021-03-10|website=Coldstream Guards|language=en}}</ref>

==History==

===English Civil War===
The origin of the Coldstream Guards lies in the [[English Civil War]] when [[Oliver Cromwell]] gave Colonel [[George Monck]] permission to form his own regiment as part of the [[New Model Army]]. Monck took men from the regiments of [[George Fenwick (Parliamentarian)|George Fenwick]] and [[Arthur Haselrig|Sir Arthur Haselrig]], five companies each, and on 13 August 1650 formed '''Monck's Regiment of Foot'''.<ref name=history>{{cite web|url=http://www.coldstreamguards-boro.org/Regimental%20History.htm|title=History of the Coldstream Guards|access-date=26 April 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130906170010/http://coldstreamguards-boro.org/Regimental%20History.htm|archive-date=6 September 2013}}</ref> Less than two weeks later, this force took part in the [[Battle of Dunbar (1650)|Battle of Dunbar]], at which the [[Roundhead]]s defeated the forces of [[Charles II of England|Charles Stuart]].<ref name=history/>

After [[Richard Cromwell]]'s abdication, Monck gave his support to the Stuarts, and on 1 January 1660 he crossed the [[River Tweed]] into [[England]] at the village of [[Coldstream]], from where he made a five-week march to [[London]]. He arrived in London on 2 February and helped in [[English Restoration|the Restoration]] of the monarchy. For his help, Monck was given the [[Order of the Garter]] and his regiment was assigned to keep order in London. However, the new parliament soon ordered his regiment to be disbanded along with all of the other regiments of the New Model Army.<ref name=history/>

Before that could happen, Parliament was forced to rely on the help of the regiment against the rebellion by the [[Fifth Monarchists]] led by [[Thomas Venner]] on 6 January 1661. The regiment defeated the rebels and on 14 February the men of the regiment symbolically laid down their arms as part of the New Model Army and were immediately ordered to take them up again as a royal regiment of '''The Lord General's Regiment of Foot Guards''', a part of the [[Household Troops]].{{sfn|Harwood|2006|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=nfw_z24jG5AC&pg=PA38 38]}}

The regiment was placed as the second senior regiment of Household Troops, as it entered the service of the Crown after the [[Grenadier Guards|1st Regiment of Foot Guards]], but it answered to that by adopting the motto ''Nulli Secundus'' (''Second to None'') as the regiment is older than the senior regiment. The regiment always stands on the left of the line when on parade with the rest of the Foot Guards, so standing "second to none". When Monck died in 1670, the [[William Craven, 1st Earl of Craven (1608–1697)|Earl of Craven]] took command of the regiment and it adopted a new name, the '''Coldstream Regiment of Foot Guards'''.<ref name=history/>

<gallery widths="165px" heights="200px">
File:David Morier (1705^-70) - Grenadiers, 1st and 3rd Regiments of Foot Guards and Coldstream Guards, 1751 - RCIN 405597 - Royal Collection.jpg|British Foot Guards in 1751 by [[David Morier]]
File:Robert Orme, by Joshua Reynolds.jpg|Lt Robert Orme (1756) by Sir Joshua Reynolds
File:Hughes & Mullins after Cundall & Howlett - Heroes of the Crimean War - Joseph Numa, John Potter, and James Deal of the Coldstream Guards.jpg|Crimean War: Joseph Numa, John Potter and James Deal of the Coldstream Guards
</gallery>

===Overseas service (1685–1900)===
The regiment saw active service in [[Flanders]] and in the [[Monmouth Rebellion]], including the decisive [[Battle of Sedgemoor]] in 1685. It fought in the [[Battle of Walcourt]] in 1689, the [[Battle of Landen]] and the [[Siege of Namur (1695)|Siege of Namur]].<ref name=history/>

In 1760, the 2nd Battalion was sent to Germany to campaign under Prince [[Ferdinand of Brunswick]] and fought in the [[Battle of Wilhelmstal]] and at the Castle of Amöneburg. Three Guards companies of 307 men under Coldstream commander Colonel [[Edward Mathew]] fought in the [[American Revolutionary War]].<ref name=history/>
[[File:Castle of Hougoumont during the Battle of Waterloo.jpg|thumb|right|Coldstream Guards defending [[Hougoumont]] at the [[Battle of Waterloo]], 1815.]]
The Coldstream Regiment saw extensive service in the wars against the [[French Revolution]] and in the [[Napoleonic Wars]]. Under the command of Sir [[Ralph Abercrombie|Ralph Abercromby]], it defeated French troops in [[Egypt]]. In 1807, it took part in the [[Battle of Copenhagen (1807)|investment of Copenhagen]]. In January 1809, it sailed to [[Portugal]] to join the forces under [[Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington|Sir Arthur Wellesley]]. In 1814, it took part in the [[Battle of Bayonne]], in France, where a [[:fr:Siège de Bayonne#Cimetière des Coldsteam Guards|cemetery]] keeps their memory. The 2nd Battalion joined the [[Walcheren Expedition]]. Later, it served as part of the 2nd Guards Brigade in the Chateau [[Hougoumont]] where they resisted French assaults all day during the [[Battle of Waterloo]]. This defence is considered one of the greatest achievements of the regiment, and an annual ceremony of "Hanging the Brick" is performed each year in the Sergeants' Mess to commemorate the efforts of [[James Graham (soldier)|Cpl James Graham]] and [[James Macdonnell (British Army officer)|Lt-Col James Macdonnell]], who shut the North Gate after a French attack.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.shinycapstar.com/waterloo.htm|title=Coldstream Guards: Waterloo|publisher=Shinycapstar.com|access-date=3 September 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090709130358/http://www.shinycapstar.com/waterloo.htm|archive-date=9 July 2009}}</ref> [[Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington|The Duke of Wellington]] himself declared after the battle that "the success of the battle turned upon closing the gates at Hougoumont".<ref>Roberts, p. 58</ref>

The regiment was later part of the British occupation forces of [[Paris]] until 1816.<ref name=history/>

During the [[Crimean War]], the Coldstream Regiment fought in the battles of [[Battle of Alma|Alma]], [[Battle of Inkerman|Inkerman]] and [[Siege of Sevastopol (1854)|Sevastopol]]. On its return, four men of the regiment were awarded the newly instituted [[Victoria Cross]].<ref name=history/>

The regiment received its current name, the '''Coldstream Guards''', in 1855. In 1882, it was sent to Egypt against the rebels of [[Ahmed 'Urabi]] and in 1885 in the Suakin Campaign. In 1897, the Coldstreamers were reinforced with the addition of a 3rd battalion. The 1st and 2nd battalions were dispatched to [[South Africa]] at the outbreak of the [[Second Boer War]].<ref name=history/> During the conflict, they would prove instrumental at the [[Battle of Belmont (1899)|Battle of Belmont]], and were also present at [[Battle of Graspan|Graspan]], [[Battle of Modder River|Modder River]], [[Battle of Magersfontein|Magersfontein]], [[Battle of Driefontein|Driefontein]], [[Battle of Diamond Hill|Diamond Hill]], [[Battle of Bergendal|Belfast]], and were also involved in hunting [[Christiaan de Wet]].<ref>{{Citation |last=Army |first=The British |title=English:  A description of all units, casualties, and battles of the Second Boer War |date=1903-05-05 |url=https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Appendix_-_Boer_War_Units_and_Casualties.pdf |access-date=2024-08-23}}</ref>
[[File:Coldstreams Guards at Diamond Hill.jpg|left|thumb|1st Coldstream Guards at the [[Battle of Diamond Hill]], 1900]]

===1900–present===
At the outbreak of the [[World War I|First World War]], the Coldstream Guards was among the first British regiments to arrive in France after Britain declared war on Germany. In the following battles, it suffered heavy losses, in two cases losing all of its officers. At the [[First Battle of Ypres]], the 1st battalion was virtually annihilated: by 1 November down to 150 men and the Lt Quartermaster. The regiment fought at [[Battle of Mons|Mons]], [[Battle of Loos|Loos]], [[Battle of the Somme (1916)|the Somme]], [[Battle of Ginchy|Ginchy]] and in the [[3rd Battle of Ypres]]. The regiment also formed the 4th (Pioneer) Battalion, which was disbanded after the war, in 1919. The 5th Reserve battalion never left Britain before it was disbanded.<ref name=history/>

When the [[Second World War]] began, the 1st and 2nd battalions of the Coldstream Guards were part of the [[British Expeditionary Force (World War II)|British Expeditionary Force]] (BEF) in France;<ref name=history/> whilst the 3rd Battalion was on overseas service in the Middle East. Additional 4th and 5th battalions were also formed for the duration of the war. They fought extensively, as part of the [[Guards Armoured Division]], in [[North African Campaign|North Africa]] and Europe as dismounted infantry. The 4th battalion first became a motorized battalion in 1940 and then an armoured battalion in 1943.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/stories/39/a2773839.shtml|title='Cuckoo' the German Panther in Service with the 4th Battalion Coldstream Guards|publisher=BBC|access-date=26 April 2014}}</ref>[[File:The Battle of Passchendaele, July-november 1917 Q6046.jpg|thumb|4th Coldstream Guards during the [[Battle of Passchendaele]], 1917.]]

Coldstreamers gave up their tanks at the end of the war, the new battalions were disbanded, and the troops distributed to the 1st and 2nd Guard Training Battalions.<ref name=history/>

After the war, the 1st and 3rd battalions served in [[Mandatory Palestine|Palestine]]. The 2nd battalion served in the [[Malayan Emergency]]. The 3rd battalion was placed in suspended animation in 1959. The remaining battalions served during the [[Mau Mau rebellion]] from 1959 to 1962, in [[Aden]] in 1964, in [[Mauritius]] in 1965, in the [[Turkish invasion of Cyprus]] in 1974 and several times in [[Northern Ireland]] after 1969.<ref name=history/>

The Regimental Band of the Coldstream Guards was the first act on stage at the [[Wembley]] leg of the 1985 [[Live Aid]] charity concert. It played for the [[Charles, Prince of Wales|Prince]] and [[Princess Diana|Princess of Wales]].<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/5xqZxCsremc Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20120831064904/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xqZxCsremc&gl=US&hl=en Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xqZxCsremc|title=Live Aid Introduction: Prince & Princess Royal Salute|website=[[YouTube]]|access-date=26 April 2014}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

In 1991, the 1st battalion was dispatched to the first [[Gulf War]], where it was involved in prisoner of war handling and other roles. In 1993, due to [[Options for Change|defence cutbacks]], the 2nd battalion was placed in suspended animation.<ref name=history/>

For much of the 1990s, the 1st Battalion was stationed in [[Münster]], Germany, in the Armoured Infantry Role with Warrior APCs as part of the [[British 4th Armoured Brigade|4th Armoured Brigade]]. In 1993–1994, the battalion served as an armoured infantry battalion in peacekeeping duties in [[Bosnia and Herzegovina|Bosnia]] as part of [[UNPROFOR]].<ref name=history/>

[[File:The British Army in North-west Europe 1944-45 BU254.jpg|thumb|[[World War II]] – 5th Coldstream Guards enter [[Arras]], 1 September 1944]]The battalion was posted to [[Derry]], Northern Ireland, on a two-year deployment in 2001. It then deployed to Iraq in April 2005 for a six-month tour with the rest of 12th Mechanised Brigade, based in the south of the country. The battalion lost two of its soldiers, on 2 May, near [[Al Amarah]] and on 18 October at [[Basra]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/fatalities/sergeant-chris-hickey-of-1st-battalion-the-coldstream-guards-killed-in-iraq|title=Sergeant Chris Hickey of 1st Battalion the Coldstream Guards killed in Iraq|publisher=Ministry of Defence|date=20 October 2005|access-date=26 April 2014}}</ref>

[[Des Browne]], [[Secretary of State for Defence]], announced on 19 July 2007 that in October 2007 the battalion was to be sent to [[Afghanistan]] as part of [[52nd Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|52 Infantry Brigade]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hansard.parliament.uk/lords/2007-07-19/debates/070719101000002/AfghanistanRoulement|title=Afghanistan: Roulement|publisher=Hansard|date=19 July 2007|access-date=15 June 2023}}</ref>

In October 2009, the battalion was deployed on [[Operation Herrick]] 11, with units deploying to the Babaji area of central [[Helmand Province]], Afghanistan, playing a major role in [[Operation Moshtarak]] in February 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/fatalities/lieutenant-douglas-dalzell-killed-in-afghanistan|title=Lieutenant Douglas Dalzell killed in Afghanistan|date=18 February 2010|publisher=Ministry of Defence|access-date=26 April 2014}}</ref>

Before the [[Strategic Defence and Security Review 2010]] the battalion was part of the [[12th Armoured Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|12th Mechanised Brigade]] in a light infantry role. Under [[Army 2020]] it transferred to [[London District (British Army)|London District]] as a public duties battalion, then in 2019 it joined the [[11th Infantry Brigade and Headquarters South East]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|date=8 April 2019|title=Trooping the Colour 2000 (The Preamble)|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_MXpUwgfu0| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190526021136/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_MXpUwgfu0| archive-date=2019-05-26 | url-status=dead|access-date=19 July 2020|website=Youtube}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=16 December 2007|title=1st Bn, Coldstream Guards: Service|url=http://www.regiments.org/deploy/uk/guards/f2cg-1.htm|access-date=20 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071216215857/http://www.regiments.org/deploy/uk/guards/f2cg-1.htm|archive-date=16 December 2007}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=17 April 2009|title=12 Mechanized Brigade – British Army Website|url=http://www.army.mod.uk/structure/10115.aspx|access-date=20 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090417212013/http://www.army.mod.uk/structure/10115.aspx|archive-date=17 April 2009}}</ref>  It will move to 4 Light Brigade Combat Team by 2025.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.army.mod.uk/media/14919/adr010310-futuresoldierguide_25nov.pdf|title=Future Soldier Guide|publisher=Ministry of Defence|access-date=13 December 2021}}</ref>

==Regiment ==
[[File:Section Second in Command.jpeg|thumb|right|Coldstream Guards on exercise in 2013.]]

=== Structure ===
The structure of the regiment and affiliated band includes:

* Regimental Headquarters, at [[Wellington Barracks|Wellington Barracks, London]]<ref>{{Cite web|date=20 December 2007|title=Coldstream Guards [UK]|url=http://www.regiments.org/regiments/uk/guards/f-2CG.htm|access-date=20 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071220012010/http://www.regiments.org/regiments/uk/guards/f-2CG.htm|archive-date=20 December 2007}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Regimental Headquarters|url=https://coldstreamguards.org.uk/pages/rhq|access-date=20 July 2020|website=Coldstream Guards}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web|title=Number 7 Company|url=https://coldstreamguards.org.uk/pages/number-7-company|access-date=20 July 2020|website=Coldstream Guards}}</ref>
* 1st Battalion, at [[Victoria Barracks, Windsor]] (Light Infantry part of [[11th Infantry Brigade and Headquarters South East]])<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|title=Coldstream Guards|url=https://www.army.mod.uk/who-we-are/corps-regiments-and-units/infantry/coldstream-guards/|access-date=20 July 2020|website=www.army.mod.uk|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name=":5">Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/rBXTJadHEmI Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20160620121450/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBXTJadHEmI&gl=US&hl=en Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{Cite web|date=17 June 2016|title=Trooping the Colour 2016|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBXTJadHEmI|access-date=19 July 2020|website=Youtube}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite web|title=1st Battalion|url=https://coldstreamguards.org.uk/pages/1st-battalion|access-date=20 July 2020|website=Coldstream Guards}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web|title=Regular Army Basing Matrix by Formation and Unit|url=http://www.aff.org.uk/linkedfiles/aff/latest_news_information/cregulararmybasingannouncementgridunclas.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160814181412/http://www.aff.org.uk/linkedfiles/aff/latest_news_information/cregulararmybasingannouncementgridunclas.pdf|archive-date=14 August 2016|access-date=15 July 2020|website=Army Families Federation}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=Order of Battle, Manpower, and Basing Locations|url=https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2018-11-22/194616|access-date=15 July 2020|website=parliament.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=British Army units from 1945 on – Coldstream Guards|url=http://british-army-units1945on.co.uk/infantry/coldstream-guards.html|access-date=20 July 2020|website=british-army-units1945on.co.uk}}</ref>
** Battalion Headquarters<ref name=":6" />
** [[Headquarters Company (UK)|Headquarters Company]]<ref name=":6" />
** No. 1 Company (Senior Company)<ref name=":6" />
** No. 2 Company<ref name=":6" />
** No. 3 Company<ref name=":6" />
** Support (No. 4) Company (includes [[corps of drums|Corps of Drums]])<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":5" /><ref name=":6" />
* No. 7 Company, based at [[Wellington Barracks|Wellington Barracks, London]] (maintaining the traditions and [[Regimental Colours|colours]] of the old 2nd Battalion placed in suspended animation in 1993)<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":5" /><ref>{{Cite web|date=10 November 2014|title=Ceremonial duties – British Army Website|url=http://www.army.mod.uk/infantry/regiments/24427.aspx|access-date=20 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141110160221/http://www.army.mod.uk/infantry/regiments/24427.aspx|archive-date=10 November 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=7 January 2015|title=Coldstream Guards – British Army Website|url=http://www.army.mod.uk/infantry/regiments/23988.aspx|access-date=20 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150107060024/http://www.army.mod.uk/infantry/regiments/23988.aspx|archive-date=7 January 2015}}</ref>
* No. 17 Company, based at [[Hammersmith]] (the regiment's [[Army Reserve (United Kingdom)|reserve]] unit, administered as part of 1st Battalion, [[London Guards]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5f8ef9d3373bfe707607fcfa/t/62250c3b19ebc628ec12dd84/1646595132676/20220301-LRA_AGM_28Feb22_Minutes-FINAL-v1.0.pdf|title=Minutes of an Annual General Meeting of the London Regiment Association held on Monday 28 February 2022 at 19.00 hours at Battalion Headquarters of the London Regiment, 27 St John's Hill, London SW11 1TT}}</ref>
* [[Band of the Coldstream Guards]], based at [[Wellington Barracks|Wellington Barracks, London]], part of the [[Royal Corps of Army Music]].<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5" /><ref>{{Cite web|date=23 January 2015|title=Contact us – British Army Website|url=http://www.army.mod.uk/music/24524.aspx|access-date=20 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150123042347/http://www.army.mod.uk/music/24524.aspx|archive-date=23 January 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Coldstream Guards Band|url=https://coldstreamguards.org.uk/pages/coldstream-guards-band|access-date=20 July 2020|website=Coldstream Guards}}</ref>

Companies that make up the regiment are traditionally numbered. New officers destined for the regiment that are at [[Royal Military Academy Sandhurst|Sandhurst]] or at the [[Infantry Battle School]] form No. 13 Coy, while Guardsmen under training at [[Infantry Training Centre (British Army)|ITC Catterick]] make up No. 14 Coy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.coldstreamguards-boro.org/page3htm.htm|title=Guards Infantry Training Battalion|access-date=26 April 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140426232859/http://www.coldstreamguards-boro.org/page3htm.htm|archive-date=26 April 2014}}</ref> No. 7 Coy is one of the [[British Army incremental infantry companies|incremental companies]] formed to undertake [[public duties]] in London and Windsor, and maintains the Colours and traditions of the former 2nd Battalion.<ref name=mod>{{cite web|url=http://www.army.mod.uk/infantry/regiments/23988.aspx|title=Coldstream Guards|publisher=Ministry of Defence|access-date=26 April 2014}}</ref>

==Role==
[[File:Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting MOD 45164094.jpg|thumb|The 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards acting as [[Standard-bearer|Flag Bearers]] in the forecourt of [[Buckingham Palace]]]]
Currently, the most prominent role of the 1st Battalion and No. 7 Company is the performance of ceremonial duties in London and [[Windsor, Berkshire|Windsor]] as part of the [[Household Division]]. The 1st Battalion is based in Windsor at [[Victoria Barracks, Windsor|Victoria Barracks]] as an operational light infantry battalion.<ref name=mod/>

In 2027 the 1st Battalion will take over a [[security force assistance]] role from 1st Battalion [[Irish Guards]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.grengds.com/uploads/files/IR_Letter_final-RLC.pdf|title=Letter From: Lieutenant General C R V Walker DSO, Regimental Lieutenant Colonel regarding the Integrated Review}}</ref>

[[File:Changing of the Colours.jpg|left|thumb|The Coldstream Guards laying up their old Colours and receiving the new Colours from The Queen]]

The [[Corps of Drums]], in addition to their ceremonial role, which has been primarily the musical accompaniment of Changing of the Guard for [[Windsor Castle]], has the role of [[machine gun]] platoon. All Guardsmen for public duties wear the 'Home Service' Dress tunic in summer or greatcoat in winter and bearskin with a red plume. The Band of the Coldstream Guards plays at Changing of The Guard, state visits and many other events.<ref name=mod/>

Unlike the other four regiments of foot guards, which recruit from each of the four [[home nations]], the Coldstream Guards has a specific recruiting area, which encompasses the counties that Monck's Regiment passed through on its march from [[Coldstream]] to [[London]]. The traditional recruiting area of the Coldstream Guards is the South West and North East of England.<ref name=mod/>

The Coldstream Guards and other Guards Regiments have a long-standing connection to [[Parachute Regiment (United Kingdom)|The Parachute Regiment]]. Guardsmen who have completed [[P Company]] have the option of being posted to the [[3 PARA|Guards Parachute Platoon]], [[3 PARA]], still keeping the tradition of the No. 1 (Guards) Independent Parachute Company, which was the original [[Pathfinder Group]] of [[16th Parachute Brigade]], now renamed [[16th Air Assault Brigade]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.paradata.org.uk/units/no-1-guards-independent-parachute-company |title=No 1 (Guards) Independent Parachute Company |publisher=ParaData |access-date=10 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150721141401/http://www.paradata.org.uk/units/no-1-guards-independent-parachute-company |archive-date=21 July 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Traditions==
[[File:Soldier from No7 Company Coldstream Guards With Regimental Colours MOD 45152569.jpg|thumbnail|[[Lieutenant (British Army and Royal Marines)|Lieutenant]] of the Coldstream Guards with the [[Regulation Colours|Regimental Colours]].]]

The grouping of buttons on the tunic is a common way to distinguish between the regiments of [[Foot Guards]]. Coldstream buttons are arranged in pairs, and a Star of the [[Order of the Garter|Garter]] is marked on their brassware.<ref name=ceremonial>{{cite web|url=http://www.army.mod.uk/infantry/regiments/24427.aspx|title=Ceremonial duties|publisher=Ministry of Defence|access-date=26 April 2014}}</ref> The Coldstream Guards can also be distinguished from the other Foot Guards by the presence of a red plume ([[hackle]]) on the right side of their bearskins.<ref>{{cite book|author1=Weinreb, Ben |author2=[[Christopher Hibbert|Hibbert, Christopher]] |title=[[The London Encyclopaedia]] |edition=reprint |year=1992 |publisher=[[Macmillan Publishers|Macmillan]] |page=409}}</ref>

The regiment is ranked second in the order of precedence, behind the [[Grenadier Guards]]. The regiment have the motto ''Nulli Secundus'' (Second to None), which is a play on the fact that the regiment was originally the "Second Regiment of Foot Guards", a position they have never accepted as the regiment is older than the Grenadier Guards.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.householddivision.org.uk/hq-coldmgds|title=Coldstream Guards|publisher=The Household Division|access-date=11 May 2022}}</ref>

The regiment's nickname is Lilywhites. An ordinary soldier of the regiment is called a Guardsman, a designation granted by King [[George V of the United Kingdom|George V]] after the First World War. The regiment is always referred to as the Coldstream, never as the Coldstreams; likewise, a member of the regiment is referred to as a Coldstreamer.<ref name=ceremonial/>

==Training==
Recruits to the [[Guards Division]] go through an intensive training programme at the British Army's [[Infantry Training Centre (British Army)|Infantry Training Centre]] (ITC). Their training is two weeks longer than the programme provided for recruits to the Regular [[line infantry]] regiments of the British Army; the extra training, carried out throughout the course, is devoted to drill and ceremonies.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.army.mod.uk/training_education/24572.aspx |title=Combat Infantryman's Course – Foot Guards|publisher=Ministry of Defence|access-date=27 April 2014}}</ref>

==Colonels-in-Chief==
[[Edward VII|King Edward VII]] assumed the colonelcy-in-chief of the regiment on his accession,<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=27289|page=1417|date=26 February 1901}}</ref> and subsequent monarchs have also been colonel-in-chief.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.abebooks.co.uk/Majesty-Queen-Elizabeth-Colonel-chief-seven/22858546575/bd|title=Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II - Colonel in chief of the seven regiments of the Household Brigade taking the salute outside Buckingham Palace after last year's Trooping the Colour Ceremony|publisher= Gale & Polden|location=London|year= 1957}}</ref>

* 1901–1910: [[Edward VII|King Edward VII]]
* 1915–1936: [[George V|King George V]]
* Jan 1936–Dec 1936: [[Edward VIII|King Edward VIII]]
* 1936–1952: [[George VI|King George VI]]
* 1952–2022: [[Elizabeth II|Queen Elizabeth II]]
* 2022–present: [[Charles III|King Charles III]]

==Regimental Colonels==
'''Duke of Abermarle's Regiment of Foot''' (1650)

* 1650–1661: Captain-General [[George Monck, 1st Duke of Albemarle]]<ref name="george-478" />

'''Lord General's Regiment of Foot Guards''' (1661)
* 1661–1670: Captain-General [[George Monck, 1st Duke of Albemarle]]<ref name="george-478">Ross of Bladensburg, Lt. Col. Sir John Foster George. ''A History of the Coldstream Guards, from 1815–1895''. London: A.D. Innes & Co., 1896. p. 478</ref>

'''Coldstream Regiment of Foot Guards''' (1670)
* 1670–1678: Captain-General [[George Monck, 1st Duke of Albemarle]]<ref name="george-478" />
* 1678–1689: Lieutenant General [[William Craven, 1st Earl of Craven (1608–1697)|William Craven, 1st Earl of Craven]]<ref name="george-478" />
* 1689–1694: Lieutenant General [[Thomas Tollemache]]<ref name="george-478" />
* 1694–1702: Lieutenant General [[John Cutts, 1st Baron Cutts]]<ref name="george-478" />
* 1702–1714: General [[Charles Churchill (British Army general)|Charles Churchill]]<ref name="george-478" />
* 1714–1722: Lieutenant General [[William Cadogan, 1st Earl Cadogan]]<ref name="george-478" />
* 1722–1740: Colonel [[Richard Lumley, 2nd Earl of Scarbrough]]<ref name="george-479">Ross of Bladensburg, Lt. Col. Sir John Foster George. ''A History of the Coldstream Guards, from 1815–1895''. London: A. D. Innes & Co., 1896. p. 479</ref>
* 1740–1742: Field Marshal [[Prince William, Duke of Cumberland]]<ref name="george-479" />
* 1742–1744: Colonel [[Charles Spencer, 3rd Duke of Marlborough]]<ref name="george-479" />
* 1744–1755: Lieutenant General [[Willem van Keppel, 2nd Earl of Albemarle]]<ref name="george-479" />
* 1755–1773: Lieutenant General [[James O'Hara, 2nd Baron Tyrawley]]<ref name="george-479" />
* 1773–1784: General [[John Waldegrave, 3rd Earl Waldegrave]]<ref name="george-479" />
* 1784–1805: Field Marshal [[Prince Frederick, Duke of York and Albany]]<ref name="george-479" />
* 1805–1850: Field Marshal [[Prince Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge]]<ref name="george-479" />
* 1850–1860: Field Marshal [[John Byng, 1st Earl of Strafford]]<ref name="george-479" />
; Coldstream Guards (1855)
* 1860–1863: Field Marshal [[Colin Campbell, 1st Baron Clyde]]<ref name="george-479"/>
* 1863–1875: Field Marshal Sir [[William Maynard Gomm]]<ref name="george-479"/>
* 1875–1884: General Sir [[William Codrington (British Army officer)|William Codrington]]<ref name="george-479"/>
* 1884–1890: General Sir [[Thomas Montagu Steele]]<ref name="george-479"/>
* 1890–1892: General Sir [[Arthur Edward Hardinge]]<ref name="george-479"/>
* 1892–1911: General [[Frederick Stephenson (British Army officer)|Sir Frederick Stephenson]]<ref name="george-479"/>
* 1911–1915: General [[Lord William Seymour (British Army officer)|William Seymour]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/portrait/mw52464/Lord-William-Frederick-Ernest-Seymour|title=Lord William Frederick Ernest Seymour – National Portrait Gallery|website=www.npg.org.uk}}</ref>
* 1915–1918: Major General [[Evelyn Boscawen, 7th Viscount Falmouth]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/885/885099/885099.html|title=Evelyn Edward Thomas Boscawen|publisher=Cricket Archive|access-date=28 April 2014}}{{subscription required}}</ref>
* 1918–1945: Lieutenant General Sir [[Alfred Codrington]]<ref>"Codrington, Lieut-Gen. Sir Alfred Edward ". (2008). In ''Who Was Who 1897–2007''. [http://www.ukwhoswho.com/view/article/oupww/whowaswho/U223925 Online edition].</ref>
* 1945–1962: General Sir [[Charles Loyd]]<ref>{{cite book| first=Nick| last=Smart| title=Biographical Dictionary of British Generals of the Second World War| isbn=1844150496| year=2005| location=Barnesley| publisher=Pen & Sword |page=196}}</ref>
* 1962–1994: Major General [[George Burns (British Army officer)|Sir George Burns]]<ref>{{cite web | title=North Mymms on the Home Front | url=https://www.northmymmshistory.uk/2018/08/the-burns-family-of-north-mymms-park.html | access-date=9 October 2007}}</ref>
* 1994–1999: Lieutenant General [[William Rous (British Army officer)|Sir William Rous]]<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=53587|supp=y|page=2316|date=15 February 1994}}</ref>
* 1999–2009: General [[Michael Rose (British Army officer)|Sir Michael Rose]]<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=55609|page=9833|date=14 September 1999}}</ref>
* 2009–present: Lieutenant General Sir [[James Bucknall]]<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=59223|supp=y|page=18435|date=27 October 2009}}</ref>

==Regimental Lieutenant Colonels==
{{Incomplete list|date=June 2021}}
The Regimental Lieutenant Colonels have included:<ref>"Appendix 285: Coldstream Roll" in [[Daniel Mackinnon]], ''Origin and Services of the Coldstream Guards'' (1833) [https://books.google.com/books?id=fWO3cJQ2ZlcC vol. ii], pp. 458–519.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gulabin.com/armynavy/pdf/REGIMENTAL%20COs.pdf|title=Regiments and Commanding Officers, 1960 - Colin Mackie|page=36|accessdate=22 June 2021}}</ref>
{{columns-list|colwidth=30em|
* 1650–1659: William Gough
* 1659–1665: Ethelbert Morgan
* 1665–1681: [[Sir]] [[James Smyth (English MP)|James Smyth]]
* 1682–1688: [[Major general (United Kingdom)|Major General]] [[Edward Sackville (died 1714)|Edward Sackville]]
* 1688–1691: vacant? <!--Sackville resigned at the Revolution; Bridgeman appointed 1 Jan 1691/2-->
* 1691–1692: James Bridgeman
* 1692–1694: [[William Seymour (British Army officer, born 1664)|William Seymour]]
* 1694–1702: William Matthew
* 1702–1704: William Mathew<!--later Governor of the Leeward Islands-->
* 1704–1715: Maj. Gen. Edward Braddock<!--father of the more famous Edward Braddock, below-->
* 1715–1717: Maj. Gen. Richard Holmes
* 1717–1733: Sir [[Adolphus Oughton]]
* 1733–1734: John Robinson<ref>{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=7219|page=3|date=4–7 August 1733}}</ref>
* 1734–1743: Maj. Gen. [[John Folliot (British Army officer, died 1748)|John Folliot]]
* 1743–1745: Maj. Gen. [[George Churchill (British Army officer)|George Churchill]]<ref>{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=8216|page=3|date=19–23 April 1743}}</ref>
* 1745–1753: [[Edward Braddock]]<ref>{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=8489|page=6|date=30 November – 3 December 1745}}</ref>
* 1753–1755: Hedworth Lambton<!--later Colonel of the 52nd Foot-->
* 1755–1762: The Hon. Bennet Noel<!--later Colonel of the 43rd Foot--><ref>{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=9540|pages=1–2|date=23–27 December 1755}}</ref>
* 1762–1762: Maj. Gen. Julius Caesar
* 1762–1763: William A'Court
* 1763–1777: John Thomas
* 1777–1785: Henry Lister<ref>{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=11825|page=1|date=22–25 November 1777}}</ref>
* 1785–1789: Maj. Gen. [[Harry Trelawny]]<ref>{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=12702|page=537|date=22–26 November 1785}}</ref>
* 1789–1795: Maj. Gen. Anthony George Martin<!--later Colonel of the 51st Foot--><ref>{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=13100|page=403|date=26–30 May 1789}}</ref>
* 1795–1800: Lt. Gen. Thomas Slaughter Stanwix<ref>{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=13840|page=1367|date=5–8 December 1795}}</ref>
* 1800–1800: Maj. Gen. Edward Morrison<ref>{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=15256|page=462|date=10–13 May 1800}}</ref>
* 1800–1814: Maj. Gen. Andrew Cowell<ref>{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=15312|page=1306|date=18–22 November 1800}}</ref>
* 1814–1821: Col. the Hon. [[Henry Trevor, 21st Baron Dacre|Henry Brand]]<ref>{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=16925|page=1635|date=13 August 1814}}</ref>
* 1821–1825: Col. [[Alexander Woodford]]<ref>{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=17740|page=1740|date=25 August 1821}}</ref>
* 1825–1830: Col. [[James Macdonell (British Army officer)|James Macdonell]]<ref>{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=18155|page=1243|date=16 July 1825}}</ref>
* 1830–1836: Col. [[Daniel Mackinnon]]
* 1836–1837: Col. Sir [[William Maynard Gomm]]
* 1837–1839: Col. John Fremantle
* 1839–1846: Col. William Lovelace Walton
* 1846–1848: Col. Charles Anthony Ferdinand Bentinck
* 1848–1851: Col. Thomas Chaplin
* 1851–1854: Col. Henry John William Bentinck
* 1854–1855: Col. the Hon. Arthur Upton
* 1855–1858: Col. the Hon. [[George Upton, 3rd Viscount Templetown|George Upton]]
* 1858–1860: Col. [[Lord Frederick Paulet]]
* 1860–1861: Col. William Samuel Newton
* 1861–1862: Col. Spencer Perceval
* 1862–1863: Col. [[Thomas Montagu Steele]]
* 1863–1866: Col. William Mark Wood
* 1866–1868: Col. Dudley William Carleton
* 1868–1871: Col. the Hon. [[Arthur Edward Hardinge]]
* 1871–1877: Col. the Hon. [[Percy Robert Basil Feilding]]
* 1877–1880: Col. [[Arthur James Lyon-Fremantle]]<ref>{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=24511|page=5598|date=12 October 1877}}</ref><ref>{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=24899|page=5614|date=9 November 1880}}</ref>
* 1880–1885: Col. George Robert FitzRoy<ref>{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=24908|page=6351|date=30 November 1880}}</ref><ref>{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=25529|page=5189|date=13 November 1885}}</ref>
* 1885–1890: Col. Godfrey James Wigram<ref>{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=25539|page=6066|date=15 December 1885}}</ref>
* 1890–1895: Col. [[John Barton Sterling]]<ref>{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=26020|page=606|date=4 February 1890}}</ref>
* 1895–1898: Col. [[Evelyn Boscawen, 7th Viscount Falmouth|the Viscount Falmouth]]<ref>{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=26595|page=686|date=5 February 1895}}</ref><ref>{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=26973|page=3389|date=31 May 1898}}</ref>
*1898–1900: Col. the Hon. [[H. W. L. Corry]]<ref>{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=26973|page=3388|date=31 May 1898}}</ref><ref>{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=27194|page=3250|date=22 May 1900}}</ref>
*1900–1903: Col. Sir [[Francis Aylmer Graves-Sawle]]<ref>{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=27197|page=3406|date=29 May 1900}}</ref>
*1903–1907: Col. [[Alfred Edward Codrington]]<ref>{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=27595|page=5598|date=8 September 1903}}</ref>
*1907–1910: Col. Frederick I. Maxse<ref>{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=28004|page=1833|date=15 March 1907}}</ref><ref>{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=28404|page=5669|date=5 August 1910}}</ref>
*1910–1913: Col. the Hon. [[William Lambton (British Army officer)|William Lambton]]<ref>{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=28404|page=5670|date=5 August 1910}}</ref><ref>{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=28679|page=149|date=7 January 1913}}</ref>
*1913–1914: Col. Cecil S. O. Monck<ref>{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=28680|page=245|date=10 January 1913}}</ref>
*1914–1917: Col. J. A. G. Richardson-Drummond-Hay<ref>{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=28895|supp=y|page=7173|date=9 September 1914}}</ref>
*1917–1919: Col. the Hon. [[George Crichton (courtier)|G. A. C. Crichton]]<ref>{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=29939|page=1471|date=13 February 1917}}</ref>
*1919–1919: Col. J. McC. Steele<ref>{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=31344|supp=y|page=6187|date=16 May 1919}}</ref><ref>{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=31618|supp=2|page=13112|date=25 October 1919}}</ref>
*1919–1923: Col. [[Herbert Studd|H. W. Studd]]<ref>{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=31631|supp=3|page=13533|date=6 November 1919}}</ref>
*1923–1927: Col. [[John Vaughan Campbell|J. V. Campbell]]<ref>{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=32876|page=7461|date=2 November 1923}}</ref>
*1927–1930: Col. [[Cecil Heywood|C. P. Heywood]]<ref>{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=33251|page=1255|date=25 February 1927}}</ref><ref>{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=33641|page=5491|date=5 September 1930}}</ref>
*1932–1934: Col. [[Charles Loyd|H. C. Loyd]]<ref>{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=33882|page=7178|date=11 November 1932}}</ref><ref>{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=34116|page=8295|date=21 December 1934}}</ref>
*1934–1938: Col. [[Arthur Smith (British Army officer)|A. F. Smith]]<ref>{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=34123|page=301|date=11 January 1935}}</ref><ref>{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=34570|page=7190|date=15 November 1938}}</ref>
*1938–1939: Brig. [[Sir John Whitaker, 2nd Baronet|J. A. C. Whitaker]]<ref>{{London Gazette|nolink=y|issue=34570|page=7191|date=15 November 1938}}</ref>
*1939–1941: Col. G. J. Edwards<ref name="TCG-20-46">{{cite book |last=Howard |first=Michael |author-link= |date=1951 |title=The Coldstream Guards, 1920-1946 |publisher=London: Oxford University Press |page=442}}</ref>
*1941–1942: Col J. C. W. Finch<ref name="TCG-20-46" />
*1942–1945: M. F. Trew<ref name="TCG-20-46" />
*1945–1946: A. Campbell, Lord Stratheden<ref name="TCG-20-46" />
*1946–1949: E. R. Hill<ref name="TCG-20-46" />
*1959–1961: Col. Richard J. V. Crichton
*1961–1964: Col. Robert C. Windsor-Clive
*1964: Col. Sir Jeffrey L. Darell, Bt.
*1964–1965: Col. David A. H. Toler
*1965–1967: Col. Alan B. Pemberton
*1967–1969: Col. Sir Ian L. Jardine, Bt.
*1969–1972: Col. Edward T. Smyth-Osbourne
*1972–1975: Col. Everard I. Windsor-Clive
*1975–1978: Col. Michael A. P. Mitchell
*1978–1981: Col. Peter G. S. Tower
*1981–1984: Col. Martin W. F. Maxse
*1984–1986: Col. H. Malcolm C. Havergal
*1986–1992: Col. Sir Brian W. de S. Barttelot, Bt.
*1992–2002: Brig. Richard J. Heywood
*2002–2012: Brig. Jonathan J. S. Bourne-May
*2012–2015: Brig. Greville K. Bibby
*2015–2018: Brig. Robin C. N. Sergeant
*2018–present: Col. Toby P. O. Till
}}

==Battle honours==
The Coldstream Guards have earned 117 battle honours:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/queen-presents-new-colours-to-coldstream-guards|title=Queen presents new Colours to Coldstream Guards|date=3 May 2012|publisher=Ministry of Defence|access-date=26 April 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.regiments.org/regiments/uk/guards/f-2CG.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060208214920/http://www.regiments.org/regiments/uk/guards/f-2CG.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 February 2006|title=Coldstream Guards|publisher=Regiments.org|access-date=10 August 2019}}</ref>

* [[English Tangier|Tangier 1680]], [[Siege of Namur (1695)|Namur 1695]], [[Gibraltar 1704–05|Gibraltar 1704–1705]], [[Battle of Oudenarde|Oudenarde]], [[Battle of Malplaquet|Malplaquet]], [[Battle of Dettingen|Dettingen]], [[Battle of Lincelles|Lincelles]], [[French Campaign in Egypt and Syria|Egypt]], [[Battle of Talavera|Talavera]], [[Battle of Barrosa|Barrosa]], [[Battle of Fuentes de Oñoro|Fuentes d'Onor]], [[Battle of Salamanca|Salamanca]], [[Battle of the Nive|Nive]], [[Peninsular War|Peninsula]], [[Battle of Waterloo|Waterloo]], [[Battle of Alma|Alma]], [[Battle of Inkerman|Inkerman]], [[Siege of Sevastopol (1854–1855)|Sevastopol]], [[Battle of Tel el-Kebir|Tel-el-Kebir]], [[Egypt 1882]], [[Battle of Suakin|Suakin 1885]], [[Battle of Modder River|Modder River]], [[Second Boer War|South Africa 1899–1902]]
* The Great War (5 battalions): [[Battle of Mons|Mons]], [[Retreat from Mons]], [[Marne 1914]], [[Aisne 1914]], [[Ypres 1914]] '17, [[Battle of Langemarck (1914)|Langemarck 1914]], [[Battle of Gheluvelt|Gheluvelt]], Nonne Bosschen, [[Givenchy 1914]], [[Battle of Neuve Chapelle|Neuve Chapelle]], [[Battle of Aubers Ridge|Aubers]], [[Festubert 1915]], [[Battle of Loos|Loos]], [[Mount Sorrel]], [[Somme 1916]] [[Second Battle of the Somme (1918)|'18]], [[Battle of Flers-Courcelette|Flers-Courcelette]], [[Battle of Morval|Morval]], [[Battle of Pilckem Ridge|Pilckem]], [[Battle of the Menin Road Ridge|Menin Road]], [[Battle of Poelcappelle|Poelcappelle]], [[Battle of Passchendaele|Passchendaele]], [[Cambrai 1917]] [[Battle of Cambrai (1918)|'18]], [[Battle of St. Quentin Canal|St. Quentin]], [[Bapaume 1918]], [[Arras 1918]], [[Battle of the Lys (1918)|Lys]], [[Battle of the Lys (1918)#Battle of Hazebrouck (12–15 April)|Hazebrouck]], [[Albert 1918]], [[Scarpe 1918]], [[Drocourt-Quéant Line|Drocourt-Quéant]], [[Hindenburg Line]], [[Battle of Havrincourt|Havrincourt]], [[Battle of the Canal du Nord|Canal du Nord]], [[Pursuit to the Selle|Selle]], [[Battle of the Sambre (1918)|Sambre]], [[Western Front (World War I)|France and Flanders 1914–1918]]
* The Second World War: [[Operation David#Defence of the Dyle|Dyle]], [[Operation David#Defence of the Escaut|Defence of Escaut]], [[Battle of Dunkirk|Dunkirk 1940]], [[Operation Goodwood|Cagny]], [[Operation Bluecoat|Mont Pincon, Quarry Hill, Estry]], [[Allied advance from Paris to the Rhine|Heppen]], [[Battle of the Nijmegen salient|Nederrijn]], [[Battle of Overloon|Venraij]], [[Operation Pheasant|Meijel]], Roer, Rhineland, [[Operation Veritable|Reichswald]], Cleve, Goch, Moyland, Hochwald, Rhine, Lingen, Uelzen, [[North-West Europe 1940]] '44–45, [[Italian invasion of Egypt|Egyptian Frontier 1940]], [[Battle of Sidi Barrani|Sidi Barrani]], [[Operation Brevity|Halfaya 1941]], [[Operation Battleaxe|Tobruk 1941–42]], Msus, Knightsbridge, [[Defence of Alamein Line]], [[Battle of Medenine|Medenine]], Mareth, Longstop Hill 1942, Sbiba, Steamroller Farm, Tunis, Hammam Lif, [[North African Campaign|North Africa 1940–1943]], [[Allied invasion of Italy|Salerno]], Battipaglia, Capezzano, Volturno Crossing, Monte Camino, Calabritto, Garigliano Crossing, Monte Ornito, Monte Piccolo, Capture of Perugia, Arezzo, Advance to Florence, Monte Domini, Catarelto Ridge, Argenta Gap, [[Italian Campaign (World War II)|Italy 1943–1945]]
* [[Gulf War|Gulf 1991]]<ref>{{cite news|title=Gulf battle honours|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/gulf-battle-honours-1511977.html|newspaper=[[The Independent]]|date=20 October 2003}}</ref>

==Order of precedence==
{{S-start}}
{{order of precedence|
  before=[[Grenadier Guards]]|
  title=[[British Army Order of Precedence|Infantry Order of Precedence]]|
  after=[[Scots Guards]]
}}
{{S-end}}

==Alliances==
* {{CAN}}&nbsp;– [[Governor General's Foot Guards|The Governor General's Foot Guards]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/services/military-history/history-heritage/official-military-history-lineages/lineages/infantry-regiments/governor-generals-foot-guards.html|title=Governor General's Foot Guards - Lineage|date=20 November 2018|access-date=30 January 2023|website=www.canada.ca|publisher=Government of Canada}}</ref>
* {{AUS}}&nbsp;– [[2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment]]
* {{navy|UK}}&nbsp;– [[HMS Ocean (L12)|HMS ''Ocean'']]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.navynews.co.uk/ships/ocean.asp|title=Navy News, Ship of the Month May 1999|quote=Affiliations: City of Sunderland; Coldstream Guards; 30 Squadron RAF; The Worshipful Company of Farriers; Pangbourne College; Brymon Airways; Old Ocean Association|access-date=14 March 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080325071711/http://www.navynews.co.uk/ships/ocean.asp|archive-date=25 March 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:SOLDIERS COMPLETE FINAL REHEARSAL AHEAD OF THE QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY PARADE MOD 45159988.jpg|A Coldstream Guards [[Sergeant]] dressing through the ranks during the rehearsal for the [[Trooping the Colour]]
File:Batalla del río Almá, por Richard Caton Woodville.jpg|Battle of Alma in the Crimean War
File:StateLibQld 1 127799 Coldstream guards marching during Australian Commonwealth celebrations, Brisbane, 1901.jpg|Coldstream Guards marching in [[Brisbane]], [[Australia]], 1901
File:4thColdstreamGuardsHouthulstForestBattleOfPeolcappelle.jpg|4th Coldstream in the [[Third Battle of Ypres]], 1917
File:Guards Parachute Platoon.JPG|Coldstream Guard members of the Guards Parachute Platoon, [[3rd Battalion, Parachute Regiment]]
File:Sharpshooter Rifle.JPG|Guardsman using the Sharpshooter Weapon System
File:Section Second in Command.jpeg|Section Second in Command giving Quick Battle Orders during exercise
File:Mortar blast.jpg|81mm Mortar moments after firing.
File:Queen Elizabeth and Donald Trump.jpg|U.S. President [[Donald Trump]] and [[Queen Elizabeth II]], accompanied by Major Oliver Biggs, reviewing the 1st Battalion, Coldstream Guards at Windsor Castle during Trump's visit to [[London]] in July 2018.
France, Bayonne, cimetière des gardes anglais, plaque visite king Edward, bataille 1814 12.JPG|Battle of Bayonne's cemetery, 1814, France, detail
File:Coldstream 2.png|1st Battalion on Exercise in Kenya 2019
File:British Coldstream Guard soldiers at Cincu.jpg|Two Coldstream Guardsmen show the traditional uniform and the capabilities with a [[FGM-148 Javelin|Javelin]] [[man-portable anti-tank systems|system]] during a small-arms display in [[Cincu|Cincu, Romania]]
</gallery>

==See also==
* [[:Category:Coldstream Guards officers]]
* [[:Category:Coldstream Guards soldiers]]
* [[Eddie Chapman]] criminal and World War II British [[double agent]] served with the Coldstream Guards.
* [[Honourable Artillery Company]], the oldest surviving regiment in the British Army
* [[Band of the Coldstream Guards]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

== Citations ==
{{Reflist|2}}

==References==
* Sir [[Julian Paget]], [[Baronet|Bt]]&nbsp;– ''Second to none : the Coldstream Guards, 1650–2000'' (2000) {{ISBN|0-85052-769-4}}
* {{cite book|last=Harwood|first=Brian|year=2006|title=Chivalry and Command: 500 Years of Horse Guards|edition=illustrated, annotated|publisher=Osprey Publishing|isbn=1-84603-109-5|page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=nfw_z24jG5AC&pg=PA38 38]}}
* [[Andrew Roberts (historian)|Roberts, Andrew]]; ''Waterloo: Napoleon's Last Gamble'', 2005, London: HarperCollins Publishers, {{ISBN|0-00-719075-1}}

==Further reading==
* {{Cite EB1911|wstitle=Guards, and Household Troops |volume=12 |pages=656–659 |short=1}} See the end of page 657 and the start of 658.

==External links==
{{Commons category|Coldstream Guards}}
* [https://www.army.mod.uk/who-we-are/corps-regiments-and-units/infantry/coldstream-guards/ Coldstream Guards page on British Army website]
* [https://www.coldstreamguards.org.uk Regimental website]
* [https://theguardsmuseum.com/ The Guards Museum (history of the Foot Guards)]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080920143559/http://www.army.mod.uk/music/corps-band/463.aspx Coldstream Guards Band site]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110616051525/http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/questions/royal/footguard.htm The Queen's Footguards]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20040102030045/http://www.shinycapstar.com/ Shiny Capstar] (unofficial site)
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20040210210721/http://www.maxsolutions.ca/coldstream/ Canadian Coldstream Guards]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110724200141/http://www.coldstreamguards.org.nz/ Coldstream Guards Corps Of Drums]
* {{YouTube|MUli7OkUq3o|"Milanollo – Quick March of the Coldstream Guards"}}
* {{YouTube|tbZL9iBnEOw|Behind the Scenes with The Coldstream Guards Soldiery Portrait Exhibition}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20111004042339/http://www.coldstreamwindsor.org.uk/ The Coldstream Guards Association Windsor Branch No. 18]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120224154346/http://british-army-units1945on.co.uk/default.aspx British Army Locations from 1945] 
* [https://books.google.com/books?id=YeSHInCZGskC&dq=Daniel+Mackinnon+colonel&pg=PA106 Origin and services of the Coldstream guards] by Colonel [[Daniel Mackinnon]]

{{British Army Infantry Regiments}}
{{British Infantry Regiments World War I}}
{{British Infantry}}
{{Authority control}}

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[[Category:Guards regiments]]
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