The Grenadier Guards were raised in the year 1657, when the loyal English who shared King Charles's exile were formed into six regiments, the first of which was called the "Royal Regiment of Guards."

For the first seventy years of its existence it saw much and varied service, and won fame on many fields, and also served on board the fleet. During the Peninsular War its good order and steady discipline were conspicuous. Its conduct at Waterloo is a matter of history, and its heroic bearing during the Crimean War is well known.

The title of "Grenadiers" was given to the first Regiment of Foot Guards in 1815, in recognition of their having defeated the French Grenadier Guards at Waterloo.

The Grenadier Guards have the nicknames of the "Sand-bags," the "Coalheavers," and "Old Eyes," and the 3rd Battalion "The Bill Browns."