At London’s Horse Guards Parade, where centuries-old military tradition meets stunning visual pageantry, there’s one detail that’s recently been stealing the spotlight — and it’s not the glint of polished sabers or the stomp of hooves.
It’s the plum tunic.
Yes — that deep, rich, regal shade that the Royal Guard officers sometimes wear during state occasions, parades, or special ceremonial duties. And if you’ve seen it in person (or on camera), you’ll know why people are obsessed.
Unlike the traditional bright red worn by most of the King’s Life Guard, this variation — often reserved for commanding officers or during specific regiments like the Royal Horse Artillery or Blues and Royals — is plum, maroon, or deep purple in hue, giving off an elegant, commanding, almost cinematic aura.
In this video, the Royal Guard officer wears the plum-colored tunic while mounted atop a glossy black horse — and the result is pure visual poetry. As sunlight hits the fabric, it shifts between deep violet and almost crimson, depending on the angle. The contrast with the white gloves, gold trim, and ceremonial sword is striking.
Tourists stopped in their tracks, several commenting:
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“That uniform is fit for royalty.”
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“Is that velvet? Or just perfect lighting?”
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“I’ve never seen that color before on a British guard!”
It’s not just about color — it’s about presence. The plum stands out in a sea of red and black, signaling authority and adding a subtle flair to the structured discipline of the scene. Even the horse, it seemed, walked with a little more pride beneath that uniform.
For photographers, fashion lovers, and royal fans alike, this clip is a dream. The color, the textures, the ceremonial symmetry — it’s modern obsession meets historic precision.
Whether you’re geeking out over military fashion or simply caught up in the mesmerizing scene of the Horse Guards Parade, one thing is certain:
You just can’t get enough of that plum.