The Princess Royal is Colonel of the Royal Horse Guards and 1st Dragoons (The Blues and Royals), which is one of the regiments that make up the Household Cavalry Regiment (HCR).
As the soldiers complete their final training prior to their six-month deployment, the Princess was treated to a trip around the latest exhibits at the regimental museum as well as the new soldiers' dining facility.
The Princess was also briefed on a small selection of equipment which was demonstrated by the soldiers who will be using it in Afghanistan.
Service personnel from the Household Cavalry Regiment's A and B Squadrons last deployed to Iraq in 2007, with Regimental Headquarters and C Squadron last deploying to Afghanistan from October 2007 to April 2008. D squadron last deployed from April to October 2008.
Lance Corporal Sinclair Zackerman said:
"I went to Iraq in 2007 and this will be my first time in Afghanistan. This will be my first tour commanding, so I'm excited. I can't wait.
"We've had a couple of exercises, training on weapons systems, loads of fitness along with everything else we normally do. I'm a vehicle commander within the DMI. I'm a Driving and Maintenance Instructor and I train people how to drive and maintain all the CVR(T)s [Combat Vehicles Reconnaissance (Tracked)]. I've got confidence in the vehicles we're deploying with - I love them."
As a Formation Reconnaissance Regiment, the HCR is at the forefront of the British Army's operational capacity as it is made up of 50 officers and 450 soldiers, crewing about 100 CVR(T)s.
Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal meets staff from Combermere Barracks during her visit to the Household Cavalry Regiment on Monday 14 September 2009
[Picture: Sergeant Ian Houlding, Crown Copyright/MOD 2009]
The regiment is trained and equipped to operate forward of the main forces, to gain information on the enemy reconnaissance, and to exploit opportunities as they occur.
Trooper Oliver Kelly from A Squadron said:
"This will be my first tour. I've got mixed feelings, mostly excitement and the thrill of finally being able to get out there and do my job. Just waiting to go now!
"I'm trained on the GMG [Grenade Machine Gun] but my role within the troop is driver for all the vehicles, primarily the CVR(T) and the Scimitar tank. I feel rather confident especially as the Scimitar tank has just had its new upgrade engine so it'll be a bit better than it was before."
Trooper Stephen Mulaney said:
"This is my first tour and before this I was at Knightsbridge doing ceremonial duty, so this will be a bit different! I'm looking forward to it. I think we've had enough training and it's time to put that training into action now. We've got a good group of lads and officers, so it'll be good."
Trooper Mulaney continued:
"I look at people who do a nine-to-five job and I just couldn't do it. I had a job before I came into the Army as it took me three years to get in as every time I went for training I kept breaking something - legs, arms, etc. But I got here eventually and I wouldn't change it for the world."