Royal History for McRae By Frank Peebles, courtesy of The Prince George Citizen
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Prince George resident has made royal history as the first woman to ever serve as part of the mounted unit guarding the Queen and the royal family. Constable Jennifer McRae, born and raised in Prince George, has been a member of the world famous RCMP musical ride for the past seven months, after a long training period. The team was dispatched earlier this month to Europe for a tour there, and after shows in Germany and England, they took up positions in a rare post: the Queen’s Life Guard. The royal foot guards are well known for their red tunics and tall, fuzzy black hats and stoic professionalism. There is a mounted contingent as well. These are all active soldiers and the position is far more than ceremonial. They are charged with protecting the life of Queen Elizabeth II and her heirs to the throne of the Commonwealth. Other Commonwealth nations have been invited to form
6 • Saddle Up • July 2012
part of the Queen’s royal guard, none before or more often than Canada. Australia provided the first women soldiers to stand on guard in the foot patrols, in 2000. The first British women received the honour in 2007. On only two occasions prior to this year have personnel from Commonwealth nations comprised the mounted division. The RCMP was the first, in 1937, and the Royal Canadian Regiment’s Lord Strathcona’s Horse division did so in 2000. In all those cases, and in all domestic mounted units utilized by the British forces over the years - the royal guard dates back to about 1660 - the riders have been men. That changed on May 23, 2012 when McRae rode out with her fellow RCMP officers to take up their official positions at White Hall. “This is significant... there are three of us that were chosen to participate in this incredible piece of history,” she said. The musical ride had already performed for the Queen as part of her Diamond Jubilee celebrations. Some were invited to have tea with her majesty. Others were invited to escort the riders out for a ceremonial polo match. McRae said there was a list of red serge events the members were requested for while in England.
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