Residents were encouraged by the Royal Bermuda Regiment to attend a “spectacular once-in-a-generation parade” when the battalion receives its new Colours next week.

Her Royal Highness Birgitte, the Duchess of Gloucester — the RBR’s Colonel-in-Chief — will present the deeply symbolic flags in a ceremony on October 18 at the Keep, where the National Museum of Bermuda is situated in Dockyard.

A key aspect of her visit to the island will be to support the RBR’s 60th-anniversary celebrations.

“The term Colours comes from the decorated flags and banners traditionally used as rallying points for soldiers in battle,” the RBR said.

“They have played a part throughout history as powerful emblems of pride, duty and unity.”

Lieutenant-Colonel Duncan Simons, the regiment’s Commanding Officer, explained: “Regimental Colours have historically been carried into battle and helped to identify the location of a regiment on the battlefield.

“Obviously today that is not the case; they are primarily ceremonial.

“More significantly for the Royal Bermuda Regiment, they represent our lineage, our history and our traditions.

“Our regiment is an amalgamation of our two predecessor regiments — the Bermuda Volunteer Rifle Corps, which was formed in 1894, and the Bermuda Militia Artillery, which was formed in 1895.

“Those regiments both served in each of the world wars and many soldiers paid the ultimate sacrifice, so our regiment and our Colours, particularly, carry the traditions of those predecessor regiments and our proud history of the past 60 years.”

Colours were originally presented to the regiment in 1965 by Her Royal Highness Princess Margaret, the battalion’s first Colonel-in-Chief, who returned in 1990 to present another set for the regiment’s 25th anniversary.

The Duchess of Gloucester presented the existing Colours in 2010 and the set she will present this year will be the RBR’s first to bear the King’s Crown.

Colours are carried on parade by junior officers known as ensigns and are protected by two Colour Sergeants and a Warrant Officer.

When uncased, the Colours are saluted by all ranks, demonstrating deep respect.

The RBR said: “A parade for a Presentation of Colours is the most complex undertaken by the regiment, and soldiers have been rehearsing for weeks to ensure that the standard and precision of their marching meets the significance of the occasion.

“The ceremony will include music from the RBR Band and Corps of Drums as well as a 21-gun salute.”

Lieutenant-Colonel Simons added: “As Commanding Officer, it’s a great honour to be the CO during a Presentation of Colours.

“It is a once-in-a-generation occasion and something that draws attention to the regiment. It is all about carrying forward our history and traditions into the future.

“The event will be a great spectacle and I would encourage people from across the island to show up on the day.”

Limited seating will be available for attendees, who were asked to be in place by 10.30am for an 11am start.

• For information on joining the Royal Bermuda Regiment, visit rbr.bm, call 238-1045 or contact rbr.recruiting@gov.bm