Spanish Royal Guard

Guardia Real Royal Guard
At the crown's service.
Active	18th century - present
Country	Spain
Allegiance	King and Fatherland
Branch	Spanish Armed Forces
Type	Infantry, Cavalry and Horse artillery
Role	Executive protection
Size	1,900 Troops (1 Regiment)
Garrison/HQ	Royal Places
Motto(s)	Al servicio de la corona "At the Crown's service"
March	Hymn of the Royal Guards
Anniversaries	October 12
Commanders
Notable commanders	General Prim General Castaños

The Royal Guard (Guardia Real) is an independent unit of the Spanish Armed Forces 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 1,900 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 combat training as regular soldiers. The guard contains a diverse mix of units; a Royal Marines company from the Navy, a Paratroop company from the Air Force and an infantry company from the Army among others. Some units have served recently in Afghanistan and Bosnia

The history of the Royal Guard dates back to medieval times. The senior unit and one of the oldest body guards in the world 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. In addition to the protection of the members of Spanish Royal Family, the present functions of the unit include protection of foreign Heads of State visiting to Spain and of royal palaces such as the Royal Palace of Madrid, the Palace of El Pardo, the Palacio de la Zarzuela.