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Royal News and Views
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Garden party at Holyrood House

Posted by Nellie on July 3, 2026, 9:57 pm

I have not seen left-handed salutes before. There would be a reason Ior using the left hand I suppose.

Re: Garden party at Holyrood House

Posted by karenl on July 3, 2026, 10:30 pm, in reply to "Garden party at Holyrood House"

Good catch...I wouldn't have noticed until you spied the salutes. I'm sure there is a valid reason.

The Royal Company of Archers

Posted by Nellie on July 3, 2026, 11:44 pm, in reply to "Garden party at Holyrood House"

The Archers held unstrung bows in their right hands so that is likely to be the reason for saluting with the left hand.

https://www.kbgsrca.co.uk

Re: The Royal Company of Archers

Posted by karenl on July 4, 2026, 10:17 pm, in reply to "The Royal Company of Archers"

Okay, thanks for looking into this and it makes sense now.

The left handed salute

Posted by Nellie on July 6, 2026, 4:39 am, in reply to "Garden party at Holyrood House"

I enquired about the left handed salute and was fortunate enough to receive the following information.

The Officers of the King’s Body Guard for Scotland, the Royal Company of Archers uniquely salute with their left hands as a result of a tradition that was born in Victorian Times: when presenting arms with a sword, the Officers also salute with their left hand as an additional mark of respect to their Sovereign. This tradition has developed into saluting with the left hand even when the sword is not drawn. The late Queen Elizabeth II very much approved and the King also supports it.

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