Guardia Real
At the crown's service.
Active	VIII century - present
Country	Spain
Allegiance	King, Fatherland
Branch	Spanish Armed Forces
Type	Infantry and Cavalry
Role	Protection
Garrison/HQ	Royal Places
Motto	Por España, todo por España "For Spain, everything for Spain"
March	Marcha Real
Anniversaries	October 12
Commanders
Notable commanders	General Prim General Castaños

The Royal Guard (Guardia Real) is an independent unit of the Spanish Army dedicated to the military protection of H.M. the King of Spain and the members of the Spanish Royal Family. It currently has a strength of 1,500 troops. While the guard does participate in parades and other ceremonial events, it is a fully functional combat unit. Its members are recruited from the ranks of all three branches of the Spanish Armed Forces and receive the same training as regular soldiers. Some units have served recently in Afghanistan.

The history of the Royal Guard dates back to Medieval times.The senior unit and one of the oldest body guards in Europe is the Corps of Gentlemen of the Chamber,the "Monteros de Espinosa",dating to 1006 and created by Sancho Garcia of the House of Castile.The present functions of the unit include the protection of the members of Spanish Royal Family, of the foreign Chiefs of State in visit to Spain and of the royal palaces like the Royal Palace of Madrid, the Palace of El Pardo, the Palacio de la Zarzuela and others.

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Spanish Royal Guard

• Official page of the Royal Guard (in Spanish)

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