{{For|Armed forces of Wales|Armed forces in Wales}}{{Short description|Infantry regiment of the British Army}} {{for|the agricultural show|Royal Welsh Show}} {{Use British English|date=November 2011}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020}}

{{Infobox military unit | unit_name = The Royal Welsh | dates = 1 March 2006 – present | image = Royal Welsh badge.png | image_size = 150px | caption = Cap badge of the Royal Welsh | motto = ''"Ich Dien"'' ({{small|German}}) ''"I Serve"''<br>''"Gwell angau na Chywilydd''" ({{small|Welsh}}) (''"Better Death than Dishonour''") | country = United Kingdom | branch = British Army | type = Line Infantry | role = 1st Battalion – Armoured Infantry<br>3rd Battalion – Army Reserve | size = Two battalions | command_structure = Union Division | garrison = RHQ – Cardiff<br>1st Battalion – Tidworth<br>3rd Battalion – Cardiff | ceremonial_chief = King Charles III | ceremonial_chief_label = Colonel in Chief | colonel_of_the_regiment = Brigadier Nigel Offley Crewe-Read | identification_symbol = 100px | identification_symbol_label = Tactical Recognition Flash | identification_symbol_2 = White (ORs only)<br><small>From Royal Welch Fusiliers</small> | identification_symbol_2_label = Hackle | identification_symbol_3 = R WELSH | identification_symbol_3_label = Abbreviation | march = Quick – ''Men of Harlech''<br>Slow – ''Forth to the Battle'' | mascot = Persian Goat (''Shenkin IV'')<ref>{{cite news|title=Royal Welsh: New regimental goat evades Army capture|work=BBC News |date=2 February 2018 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-42919144|access-date=2 February 2018}}</ref> | battles = * Operation Telic * Operation Herrick | anniversaries = St David's Day – 1 March }}

The '''Royal Welsh''' (R WELSH) ({{langx|cy|Y Cymry Brenhinol}}) is an armoured infantry regiment of the British Army. It was established in 2006 from the Royal Welch Fusiliers (23rd Foot) and the Royal Regiment of Wales (24th/41st Foot).

== History == The regiment's formation was announced on 16 December 2004 by Geoff Hoon and General Sir Mike Jackson as part of the restructuring of the infantry and it was actually formed on St David's Day, 1 March 2006. The Royal Welsh initially consisted of two Regular Army battalions, plus an Army Reserve battalion. The former regiments formed part of the battalion title (in brackets):<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4102013.stm|title=In detail: army restructuring plans|publisher=BBC|date=16 December 2004|access-date=24 May 2014}}</ref> *1st Battalion, The Royal Welsh (Royal Welch Fusiliers) (ex 1st Battalion, the Royal Welch Fusiliers (23rd Foot)) *2nd Battalion, The Royal Welsh (Royal Regiment of Wales) (ex 1st Battalion, the Royal Regiment of Wales (24th/41st Foot))

The 1st battalion deployed to Afghanistan in October 2007, October 2009<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/DefencePolicyAndBusiness/11LightBrigadeToReplace19LightBrigadeInAfghanistan.htm |title=11 Light Brigade to replace 19 Light Brigade in Afghanistan |date=15 July 2009 |publisher=Ministry of Defence |access-date=30 April 2016 |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090716125434/http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/DefencePolicyAndBusiness/11LightBrigadeToReplace19LightBrigadeInAfghanistan.htm |archive-date=16 July 2009 }}</ref> and April 2012.<ref>{{cite news|title=RC – Southwest - Task Force Helmand |url=http://www.isaf.nato.int/subordinate-commands/rc-southwest/index.php |access-date=17 September 2012 |newspaper=International Security Assistance Force(ISAF) |date=19 April 2012 |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121230144128/http://www.isaf.nato.int/subordinate-commands/rc-southwest/index.php |archive-date=30 December 2012 }}</ref>

In July 2007 the 2nd battalion deployed to Iraq<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.principalitystadium.wales/news/726.php|title=The Royal Welsh return from Iraq|date=11 December 2007|publisher=Wales on line|access-date=30 April 2016}}</ref> and between 2009 and 2011 the battalion deployed companies to Afghanistan.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-mid-wales-19747309|title=2nd Battalion The Royal Welsh: Soldiers in Cardigan march|publisher=BBC|date=28 September 2012|access-date=30 April 2016}}</ref>

The 2nd battalion merged with 1st battalion to form a single battalion, the 1st Battalion, The Royal Welsh on 2 April 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/pictures-parade-commemorates-historic-merger-6919587|title=In pictures: Parade commemorates historic merger of Royal Welsh Regiment's 1st and 2nd Battalions |publisher=Wales on line|date=4 April 2014 |access-date=30 April 2016}}</ref>

== Structure == The 1st Battalion, The Royal Welsh is a Regular Army armoured infantry battalion based at Tidworth Camp. It comes under 12th Armoured Infantry Brigade with HQ at Bulford Camp in Wiltshire.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aff.org.uk/linkedfiles/aff/latest_news_information/cregulararmybasingannouncementgridunclas.pdf|title=Army basing announcement|access-date=26 April 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160814181412/http://www.aff.org.uk/linkedfiles/aff/latest_news_information/cregulararmybasingannouncementgridunclas.pdf|archive-date=14 August 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.army.mod.uk/documents/general/Army2020_Report_v2.pdf |title=Transforming the British Army: An Update| page=7|publisher=Ministry of Defence|access-date=30 April 2016}}</ref>

The 3rd Battalion, The Royal Welsh is an Army Reserve light infantry battalion based at Maindy Barracks in Cardiff, with company locations in Swansea, Pontypridd, Aberystwyth and Colwyn Bay. Paired with 1st Battalion The Royal Welsh, it also comes under 12th Armoured Infantry Brigade.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.army.mod.uk/who-we-are/corps-regiments-and-units/3rd-united-kingdom-division/ |title=3rd (United Kingdom) Division &#124; The British Army |publisher=Army.mod.uk |access-date=2018-04-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.army.mod.uk/who-we-are/corps-regiments-and-units/infantry/royal-welsh/ |title=Royal Welsh &#124; The British Army |publisher=Army.mod.uk |date=2006-03-01 |access-date=2018-04-10}}</ref>

== Regimental museum == The Regimental Museum of The Royal Welsh is at The Barracks, Brecon.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://royalwelsh.org.uk/regimental-museum-of-the-royal-welsh.shtml|title=The Regimental Museum of The Royal Welsh|access-date=20 April 2014}}</ref> Meanwhile Firing Line: Cardiff Castle Museum of the Welsh Soldier is based at Cardiff Castle<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/8521882.stm |title=Regimental museum to open doors|work=BBC News|date=19 February 2010|access-date=12 June 2018}}</ref>

== Traditions == The regiment's cap badge is a representation of the Prince of Wales's feathers (formerly the cap badge of the Royal Regiment of Wales), while the hackle of the Royal Welch Fusiliers is worn by all NCOs and Other Ranks. Queen Elizabeth II was the new regiment's Colonel-in-Chief until her death in September 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/cardiff-set-royal-visit-queen-9059807?pageNumber=5|title=Cardiff set for royal visit from The Queen as she presents the Royal Welsh Regiment with its new colours|date=17 April 2015|publisher=Wales on line|access-date=30 April 2016}}</ref>

The regiment includes a goat, presented by the monarch; this is not a mascot but a ranking soldier. Lance Corporal William Windsor retired on 20 May 2009; a replacement, Fusilier William Windsor, was appointed on 15 June 2009.<ref name=A>{{cite news| url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/8058249.stm |work=BBC News | title=Retiring army goat's new zoo home | date=20 May 2009 | access-date=22 May 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/north_west/8100259.stm |work=BBC News | title=Soldiers choose regimental goat | date=15 June 2009 | access-date=10 June 2010}}</ref>

== Regimental Band and Corps of Drums of The Royal Welsh == The Regimental Band of The Royal Welsh is an all-brass band within the British Army. Formed of 30 soldiers who are all members of the Army Reserve, it can provide a marching band, a concert band or a fanfare team.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.army.mod.uk/infantry/regiments/30179.aspx?t=/royalwelshband|title=Regimental Band and Corps of Drums|publisher=Ministry of Defence|access-date=30 April 2016}}</ref>

In October 2009, due to £54m of Ministry of Defence budget cuts affecting front line services including the war in Afghanistan, all bookings from end of October 2009 until April 2010 were cancelled. This covered the Autumn Rugby Union Internationals and Remembrance Day. Band members agreed to honour all charity appearances during this period, but without pay.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/8310423.stm|title=Army cutbacks hit regimental band|work=BBC Wales|date=16 October 2009|access-date=8 November 2009}}</ref>

== Regimental Colonels == Regimental Colonels have been as follows: * 2006–2011: Major General Roderick J. M. Porter<ref>{{cite web|title=Court Circular |url=https://www.thetimes.com/travel/destinations/uk-travel/scotland-travel/court-circular-02t2j6rnbr3 |work=The Times |access-date=5 April 2022}}</ref> * 2011–2016: Brigadier Philip M. L. Napier<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/right-royal-family-affair-distinguished-9414462|title=A right Royal family affair for distinguished military family as Queen prepares to come to Cardiff|date=8 June 2015|publisher=Wales on line|access-date=4 June 2018}}</ref> * 2016–2021: Lieutenant General James Swift, OBE<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/rare-footage-shows-moment-queen-11032397|title=This rare footage shows the moment the Queen came face to face with chiefs of the Royal Welsh|date=14 March 2016|publisher=Wales on line|access-date=4 June 2018}}</ref> *2021–2026: Major General Chris Barry<ref>[https://www.defenceiq.com/events-internationaldismountedsoldier/speakers/major-general-chris-barry-cbe Major General Chris Barry CBE]</ref> *2026–present: Brigadier Nigel Offley Crewe-Read<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=64986|date=10 February 2026|page=2294|supp=y}}</ref>

== Freedoms == The regiment has received the Freedom of several locations throughout its history. As of 2019 the regiment has received the freedom of 28 local authorities;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-49592833|title=The Royal Welsh: One of the Army's oldest regiments is 300|publisher=BBC|date=7 September 2019|access-date=22 June 2020}}</ref> these include: * {{flagicon|Wales}} '''23 July 2011''': Bangor.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.northwaleschronicle.co.uk/news/104432/royal-welsh-receive-freedom-of-the-city-of-bangor.aspx |title=Royal Welsh receive freedom of the city of Bangor |work=North Wales Chronicle |date=26 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120325062713/http://www.northwaleschronicle.co.uk/news/104432/royal-welsh-receive-freedom-of-the-city-of-bangor.aspx |archive-date=25 March 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> * {{flagicon|Wales}} '''25 September 2010''': Blackwood.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/freedom-honour-for-royal-regiment-1899670|title=Freedom honour for Royal regiment|date=25 September 2010|website=walesonline}}</ref> * {{flagicon|Wales}} '''19 February 2011''': Blaenau Gwent.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/8811296.Royal_Welsh_to_get_freedom_of_Blaenau_Gwent/ |title=Royal Welsh to get freedom of Blaenau Gwent |publisher=South Wales Argus |date=2011-01-25 |access-date=2019-03-11}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=WalesOnline |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/local-news/freedom-honour-royal-welsh-regiment-1849933 |title=Freedom honour for Royal Welsh Regiment |date=3 February 2011 |publisher=Wales Online |access-date=2019-03-11}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-south-east-wales-12509195 |title=Royal Welsh receive freedom of Blaenau Gwent - BBC News |work=BBC News |date=19 February 2011 |access-date=2019-03-11}}</ref> * {{flagicon|Wales}} '''30 August 2008''': Bridgend.<ref>[http://www1.bridgend.gov.uk/democracy/mayor/freedom-of-the-borough.aspx Freedom of the Borough] Bridgend Council {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160625151830/http://www1.bridgend.gov.uk/democracy/mayor/freedom-of-the-borough.aspx |date=25 June 2016 }}</ref> * {{flagicon|Wales}} '''25 April 2009''': Caernarfon.<ref name="dailypost.co.uk">{{cite web|url=http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/royal-welsh-receive-freedom-flintshire-2792189|title=Royal Welsh to receive freedom of Flintshire and Caernarfon|first=North Wales Daily|last=Post|date=23 April 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5IOsKWdvtk |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/R5IOsKWdvtk| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|title=Royal Welsh Freedom of The Royal Town of Caernarfon|last=CaernarfonOnline|date=25 April 2009|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref> * {{flagicon|Wales}} '''26 September 2010''': Caerphilly.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.caerphillyobserver.co.uk/news/4440/royal-welsh-regiment-to-receive-freedom-of-caerphilly-county-borough/|title=Royal Welsh Regiment to receive Freedom of Caerphilly County Borough - Caerphilly.Observer|date=21 September 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/regiment-freedom-borough-1897828|title=Regiment to get freedom of the borough|last=WalesOnline|date=15 September 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejNMOoKDKYY |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/ejNMOoKDKYY| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|title=The Royal Welsh Freedom of the borough, Blackwood and Caerphilly|last=steveorido|date=26 September 2010|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref> * {{flagicon|Wales}} '''2008''': Carmarthenshire.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-south-west-wales-22826089|title=March celebrates town centre revamp|date=8 June 2013|publisher=BBC}}</ref> * {{flagicon|Wales}} '''25 April 2009''': Ceredigion.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/royal-welsh-march-cardigan-freedom-2060711|title=The Royal Welsh to march at Cardigan Freedom Parade|last=WalesOnline|date=26 September 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-mid-wales-19747309|title=Soldiers in county freedom parade|date=28 September 2012|publisher=BBC}}</ref> * {{flagicon|Wales}} '''20 September 2010''': Conwy.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/royal-welsh-given-freedom-conwy-2746415|title=Royal Welsh given the Freedom of Conwy|first=North Wales|last=Live|date=20 September 2010|website=northwales}}</ref> * {{flagicon|Wales}} '''13 June 2011''': Denbighshire.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/royal-welsh-given-freedom-denbighshire-2694740|title=Royal Welsh given the freedom of Denbighshire|first=Alex|last=Hickey|date=13 June 2011}}</ref> * {{flagicon|Wales}} '''24 April 2009''': Flintshire.<ref name="dailypost.co.uk"/> * {{flagicon|Wales}} '''4 March 2011''': Monmouthshire.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/gwentnews/8789100.Monmouthshire_freedom_plan_is____honourable_tribute____to_soldiers/|title=Monmouthshire freedom plan is 'honourable tribute' to soldiers|website=South Wales Argus|date=13 January 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abergavennychronicle.com/article.cfm?id=106164&headline=Freedom+parade+aims+to+keep+inconvenience+to+a+minimum+in+Abergavenny&sectionIs=news&searchyear=2017|title=Freedom parade aims to keep inconvenience to a minimum in Abergavenny}}</ref> * {{flagicon|Wales}} '''2006''': Neath Port Talbot (Originally Granted to the Royal Regiment of Wales in '''July 1993''').<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/local-news/neath-port-talbot-residents-salute-2108911|title=Neath Port Talbot residents salute troops|date=2 April 2009|publisher=Wales Online|access-date=31 March 2020}}</ref> * {{flagicon|Wales}} '''15 September 2018''': Pembroke.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.westerntelegraph.co.uk/news/16867826.royal-welsh-given-freedom-of-pembroke/ |title=Royal Welsh given Freedom of Pembroke |work=Western Telegraph|date=2018-09-14 |access-date=2019-03-11}}</ref> * {{flagicon|Wales}} '''2010''': Rhondda Cynon Taf.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/our-special-day-royal-welsh-11998164|title=Royal Welsh soldiers marched through Pontypridd watched by thousands|first=James|last=McCarthy|date=8 October 2016}}</ref> * {{flagicon|Wales}} '''5 June 2010''': Torfaen.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cod1.co.uk/forums/topic/1701-freedom-of-the-borough/|title=Freedom of the Borough|date=5 June 2010 }}</ref> * {{flagicon|Wales}} '''21 February 2009''': Vale of Glamorgan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk/en/our_council/Council-Structure/The-Mayor/Honorary-Freedom.aspx?ContensisTextOnly=true |title=Honorary Freedom |publisher=Government of the United Kingdom |access-date=2019-03-11}}</ref>

== Alliances == thumb|right|200px|Soldiers from the Mobility Reconnaissance Force of 1 Royal Welsh take up a defensive position north of Patrol Base Wahid, Nad-E' Ali, Helmand during a patrol. *{{CAN}} – Royal 22<sup>e</sup> Régiment *{{CAN}} – The Ontario Regiment (RCAC) *{{AUS}} – The Royal New South Wales Regiment *{{RSA}} – 121 South African Infantry Battalion *{{RSA}} – Pretoria Armour Regiment *{{PAK}} – 4th Battalion, The Baloch Regiment *{{PAK}} – 3rd Battalion, The Frontier Force Regiment *{{MAS}} – 4th Battalion, The Royal Malay Regiment

== Order of precedence == {{S-start}} {{order of precedence | before= Mercian Regiment | title= Infantry Order of Precedence| after= The Royal Irish Regiment }} {{S-end}}

== Lineage == {| class="wikitable" |- ! 1880<ref name="London Gazette">{{cite news|last1=The London Gazette|first1=Page 3300-3301|title=Childers Reform|url=https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/24992/page/3300|access-date=27 October 2016|issue=24992|publisher=Government of the United Kingdom|date=1 July 1881}}</ref> !! 1881 Childers Reforms<ref name="London Gazette"/> !! 1921 Name changes !! 1957 Defence White Paper !! 1966 Defence White Paper !! 1990 Options for Change !! 2006 Delivering Security in a Changing World |- | 23rd (Royal Welsh Fusiliers) Regiment of Foot | style="text-align:center;"| The Royal Welsh Fusiliers | colspan="4" style="text-align:center;"| The Royal Welch Fusiliers | rowspan="4" style="text-align:center;"| The Royal Welsh |- | 24th (2nd Warwickshire) Regiment of Foot | colspan="3" style="text-align:center;"| The South Wales Borderers | rowspan="3" colspan="2" style="text-align: center;" | Royal Regiment of Wales (24th/41st Foot) |- | 41st (The Welsh) Regiment of Foot | rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;"| The Welsh Regiment | rowspan="2" colspan="2" style="text-align: center;" | The Welch Regiment |- | 69th (South Lincolnshire) Regiment of Foot |}

== References == {{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

== External links == {{Commons category}} * {{Official website}} *[https://www.theroyalwelsh.co.uk/ The Royal Welsh Website] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20110926043332/http://www.theroyalwelsh.org/ The Regimental Museum of The Royal Welsh]

{{Royal Welsh}} {{British Army Infantry Regiments}} {{British Infantry}}

Category:Royal Welsh Category:Welsh regiments of the British Army Category:Military units and formations established in 2006 Category:Military units and formations in Wales Category:Military units and formations in Cardiff Category:Military units and formations of the United Kingdom in the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) Category:2006 establishments in the United Kingdom