Here is the official entrance to Buckingham Palace and St. James' Park, and two regiments of the Household Cavalry guard it: the Blues and Royals, with their blue tunics and red plumed helmets, and the Life Guards with their red tunics and white plumed helmets. The Mounted Regiments have specially selected horses, who must be of good character and have no blemishes. Bought by the Crown at the age of 3 or 4, their names in any given year will all start with the same letter. These names will often refer to a famous battle or a significant location. Every year the horses take a holiday to the countryside, where they are free to graze and gallop, without having to carry 25 kg of ceremonial kit as well as a human soldier on their backs! They serve in the regiment until they are 17 or 18 before going on to retire.