Honoring Legacy: Princess Anne Commends Canada’s Oldest Cavalry Regiment

Princess Anne, in her capacity as colonel-in-chief of the 8th Canadian Hussars, celebrated the regiment’s illustrious history during their 175th anniversary celebrations in Moncton, N.B. The princess commended the regiment, also known as Princess Louise’s, for its exceptional service spanning over a century.

In her morning speech outside Moncton’s City Hall, Princess Anne acknowledged the regiment’s continuous dedication to the province of New Brunswick and Canada as a whole. She emphasized their impressive achievements and highlighted their origins, tracing back to the American Revolution, where they earned a reputation for military excellence. The regiment’s formation in 1848 was driven, in part, by the need to safeguard New Brunswick from expansionist American ideology.

The 8th Canadian Hussars, Canada’s oldest continually serving cavalry regiment, has consistently upheld its reputation. Princess Anne praised their contributions to major Canadian combat missions, including both world wars, Bosnia, Afghanistan, and more. She acknowledged the regiment’s hard work, commitment, and enviable reputation, which have been instrumental in maintaining their legacy.

During the anniversary celebrations, Princess Anne engaged with past and present regiment members, attended a commemorative concert, participated in a parade, and joined a gala dinner. She expressed her gratitude to the province and the City of Moncton for their unwavering support of the regiment, emphasizing the significance of their collective bond.

Lt.-Col. Colin Beazley, commanding officer of the 8th Canadian Hussars (Princess Louise’s), highlighted Princess Anne’s genuine interest in the soldiers’ well-being and experiences. Her presence and engagement during the parade demonstrated her commitment to putting the soldiers first.

While proud of their rich history, the regiment remains focused on its present-day role in protecting the country’s interests overseas and supporting domestic efforts, such as disaster relief operations. Lt.-Col. Beazley emphasized their position as a line-armoured unit serving Atlantic Canadians and all Canadians under the orders of the Canadian Armed Forces.

The commemorative events not only celebrated the regiment’s 175-year legacy but also served as a testament to their ongoing dedication and service to Canada.

Re reported the article from the story originally published in Toronto star