The horse was presented to the 9th Lancers after they returned to England from India and their service in the Second Afghan war. Queen Victoria donated this cream-coloured filly from the Royal Stud in 1886, continuing a tradition started by Queen Adelaide in 1832 when the 9th became the Queen’s Royal Lancers. The horse was named as Queen Adelaide. The drum banners are the same as those in the 1892 photo, having AR (Adelaide Regina) in the centre instead of the expected VR (Victoria Regina). The shabraque has been customised and appears to be only the rear part of what used to be an officer’s shabraque, but must be in yellow rather than gold, as the embroidery and lace look dark like the yellow stripes on his waist girdle. It is not possible to say from this photo whether the monogram in the centre of the shabraque device is AR or VR. The black sheepskin saddle cover has a red edge.
The drummer wears the dress uniform of the regiment but the plume on his lance cap is red instead of black and white. He has a badge on his right arm, of crossed trumpets on red backing. The trumpets are embroidered in gold. He does not wear gloves and does not seem to be holding any reins. There are no stirrup reins either. The photo was published in The Navy & Army Illustrated 17 Jan 1896.
