What is the role of an Equerry?

HRH The Prince Philip’s Memorial Edition

What is the role of an Equerry?

Maj James Aubrey, the previous Corps Adjutant and REME Assistant Equerry to HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, explains the purpose of this unique role in the Corps’ relationship with the Royal Family.

As the last REME Assistant Equerry to HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, the Editor has asked me to explain this role that a small number of REME officers have been fortunate enough to fulfil. Historically, an Equerry was a senior attendant to a person of seniority (normally within the Royal Family); the word originates from France and is related to écuyer or squire and they would likely have had responsibilities for their principal’s horses. Nowadays, the role is that of a senior aide who would assist with programme management, correspondence and organising and accompanying their principal on visits; ensuring that they run to schedule.

Some REME officers have been selected as full time Equerries to HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, with the last of these being Captain (now Brigadier (Retired)) Richard Bennett MVO. Since then, the appointment became an Extra Equerry and was often held by the Officer Commanding Light Aid Detachment at the Household Cavalry Regiment before the dissolution of HQ DEME(A) in 2012 where it became tied to the newly created Corps Adjutant as one of three (later two) Assistant Equerries. My predecessors accompanied The Duke of Edinburgh on many visits to both the Corps and other organisations until HRH stepped down from public engagements in 2017; journeys to these events offered a perfect opportunity for the Equerry to bring The Duke of Edinburgh up to speed with news of the Corps and the day-to-day lives of REME soldiers. From 2017, the

Brig RNH Bennett MVO while he was Equerry to HRH The Duke of Edinburgh

Capt Paul Young in attendance as Equerry to HRH The Duke of Edinburgh at the opening of Prince Philip Barracks Capt Liam Wilson, as Equerry at the time, accompanied the Colonel-in-Chief on a visit to DE&S

Capt James Aubrey was asked to represent HRH The Prince Philip at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday in 2019

Assistant Equerry was in attendance to HRH at private audiences or represented him at events such as the Remembrance Parade at the Cenotaph in Whitehall.

On occasions The Queen’s Equerry needed extra assistance at large events at Buckingham Palace and called on the Equerries to other Members of the Royal Family to help out. In my time I was fortunate enough to assist in hosting NATO leaders, recipients of The Queen’s Award for Enterprise, Harry Billinge MBE at his investiture and also a celebration of British Judaism held by HRH The Prince of Wales.

All events would run to a similar schedule: the Equerries would meet senior guests on arrival at the Grand Entrance to the Palace and escort them to one of the state rooms for an audience with HM The Queen or her representative. The guests would then be hosted in the Picture Gallery and the Equerries would organise small groups to meet the Members of the Royal Family working steadily from one end of the room to the other. Once the Member of the Royal Family reached the end of the room the Equerries would gather in the Vestibule for feedback on the event before escorting the guests back to their vehicles.

I am sure that my predecessors would agree that the role was a huge privilege both individually and for the Corps and I hope that REME is able to maintain the important historical link with the Royal Family and Buckingham Palace.