The 1st Dragoon Guards were styled "The Queen's Regiment of Horse" when first raised in 1685 on the accession of James II. When in Flanders with Marlborough, the regiment wore cuirasses, and had bright yellow facings. In 1714, in recognition of its brilliant services, the title was changed to "The King's Regiment of Horse," and in 1746 to "The 1st (or King's) Regiment of Dragoon Guards." A detachment of the regiment captured the Zulu King Cetewayo after his defeat at the battle of Ulundi. The battlefields of Flanders figure in the regiment's history no less than four times, viz.: In 1695 under King William at the siege of Namur; in 1704-9 under Marlborough at Schellenberg, Blenheim, Ramillies, Oudenarde, and Malplaquet; in 1759 when it fought at Minden and elsewhere; and in the Great War, 1914.

Nicknames: "The K.D.G.'s," also "The Trades Union."