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Palace honour for Jamaican troops

The men from C company, second battalion, Jamaica Regiment, part of the Jamaica Defence Force, are mounting the Queen's Guard as part of a month of duties.

"We are the first Caribbean country to do this - it gives others the impression that yes, we can do it," said one soldier.

It is only the third time in 50 years that an overseas battalion has mounted guard at the Queen's main London residence.

All Commonwealth countries with the Queen as head of state may provide the Queen's Guard, but they rarely have the chance in practice.

The two other nations to have had the honour are Australia and Canada.

April's visit is part of an exchange that has seen a battalion of Coldstream Guards from Windsor travelling to Jamaica.

Four Coldstream drill instructors have also been to the Caribbean to help the visitors prepare for guard duties.

Jamaican troops carried out guard duties at Edinburgh Castle in 1968 and 1990 during previous exchange visits.

Some of the guards' family members were among the tourists watching the ceremony.

"It's a big thing for me to come and see a family member on parade at Buckingham Palace," said Loretta Thomas, of Finsbury Park, London, whose uncle is a sergeant in the regiment.

The regiment is also taking part in the ceremony of the keys at the Tower of London on Monday.

Other plans include a guard at Windsor and military training on Salisbury Plain and at Purbright before returning home in May.

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