To celebrate the Queens Diamond jubilee a detachment of Royal Canadian Police came to London in may this year they were the first non-military unit to guard the Queen during the centuries old tradition.
They have been training with the household cavalry in Hyde Park and have been riding through Hyde Park with their broad-brimmed RCMP Stetsons on, which must have surprised a few tourists, especially Canadians.’
A strong relationship was forged between the Royal Family and the Mounties in 1904 when the Queen’s grandfather, King Edward VII, granted the Canadian Mounted Police the prefix ‘Royal’ in recognition of its services to Canada and the Empire.
Her personal bodyguard, known today as the Queen’s Life Guard, has been guarding the ceremonial entrance to the royal residence since the 17th century.
To celebrate the Queens Diamond jubilee the Her Majesty has been made Commandant-in-chief by the Mounties which is a great honour for her and the RCMP.
I have always been fan of the Mounties and as a boy loved to read of them patrolling and policing the remote areas of Canada
So I have done a painting of them riding in Hyde Park.
They are wearing the familiar Stetson and riding britches and boots but instead of the red tunic, they were the up-to-date blue coat complete with collar and tie
The painting has been done on a artist canvas board size 16”x12” or 104x305m
I Started the Painting by doing a rough pencil sketch as seen here
Rough pencil sketch
The begining of the painting starting with the background and the first horse and rider.
The Finished painting of the Mounties riding in Hyde Park London.
