THE Queen's personal bodyguards took a well-earned weekend break and spent it in Harrogate.
About 60 Yeomen of the Guard took time off from their duties and enjoyed an evening of virtual horseracing and a formal dinner at the Cedar Court Hotel with their partners.
The guards, who are famous for their Tudor red and gold uniforms, play a ceremonial role and back up the police in the event of an emergency.
They also accompany the sovereign at royal occasions such as the Royal Maundy Service and garden parties at Buckingham Palace.
The Yeomen of the Guard, not to be confused with the Beefeaters from the Tower of London, were established in 1485 during the reign of Henry VII to help protect the king.
Today, there are about 71 Yeomen drawn from retired members of the Armed Forces.
Their most famous duty is to search the cellars of the Houses of Parliament before the state opening, a tradition which dates back to the gun powder plot in 1605 when Guy Fawkes attempted to blow up Parliament.
Simon Cotton, general manager of the hotel, said: "I'm thrilled that such a prestigious group of people chose to stay at the Cedar Court Hotel in Harrogate this year. It was an honour to host the Queen's bodyguard at the hotel. They had an excellent weekend and we received many comments of praise about the hotel."
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