Equerry

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An equerry (pronounced eckwairy) 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.

1 Australia
2 Canada
3 New Zealand
4 United Kingdom
- 4.1 Equerries to the British Monarch
5 References
6 See also

[edit] Australia

Australian equerries may be appointed on an ad hoc basis to the Queen of Australia, to the Governor General, or to an overseas visiting dignitary.

While maintaining the tradition that all equerries must be drawn from its military, Australia is the only Commonwealth realm to expand the eligible class of soldiers beyond commissioned officers to include non-commissioned officers.^[1]

[edit] Canada

Canadian equerries are appointed to serve national representatives of the country, and are always drawn from the senior officers of the Canadian Forces.

Major William Foster of the 12e Régiment blindé du Canada, an armoured regiment of the Canadian Forces Land Force Command, is the current Canadian Equerry to the Queen of Canada.^[2] 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.^[3]

[edit] New Zealand

New Zealand equerries are appointed to serve the Queen of New Zealand only for the duration of a royal visit to the country, and are always drawn from the senior officers of the New Zealand Defence Force.

Squadron Leader Leanne Woon of the Operational Support Squadron, part of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, was the New Zealand Equerry to the Queen of New Zealand during the most recent royal visit in 2002. She is the only woman to serve as an equerry to the monarch anywhere in the Commonwealth.^[4]

[edit] United Kingdom

British equerries are appointed only to senior members of the British Royal Family, and are drawn only from the senior officers of the British Armed Forces.

There are now three equerries to the Queen of the United Kingdom, and a larger number of extra equerries - usually retired senior 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 Queen's senior equerry has also held the position of Deputy Master of the Household.

The Queen's 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 Queen's 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 each also have one or two equerries.

The Crown Equerry is in charge of the Royal Mews Department and holds a distinct office.