Hanging in this St. George's Chapel are some of the Colours that were presented to the Royal Regiment of Canada and its predecessor units since 1863. The most recent set of Colours were presented by the Regiment's Colonel-in-Chief, His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales on November 5, 2009, and are kept at the Regiment's headquarters at Fort York Armoury in Toronto.
A battle honour is an award of a right by a government or sovereign to a military unit to emblazon the name of a military battle or theatre of operation on the Regimental Colours. The Royal Regiment of Canada has been awarded or perpetuates 71 battle honours for specific distinguished actions and general action on active service. Of these, 25 battle honour names have been approved for emblazonment on the Regimental Colours.
On May 9, 2014, the Government of Canada announced that the theatre honour "Afghanistan" had been awarded to the Royal Regiment of Canada for its participation in that theatre of armed conflict.
In earlier times, Colours played a prominent part in many battles. They served to identify units in battle, often marking the focal point of a struggle. Captured Colours were a prized trophy and attracted enemy attention and inspired much gallantry. By the late 19th and 20th Century, however, they were no longer carried in battle, but their status as the heart and soul of a Regiment continued, and the laying up of Colours signifies and helps keep holy the memories of the men who sacrificed their lives.
