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Scots Guardsmen
UK: Sikh soldier becomes first to guard Queen while wearing turban
Jatenderpal Singh Bhullar is the first to break with the 180-year-old tradition of wearing the iconic bearskin hat.
Jatinderpal Singh Bhullar, 25, becomes the first person to guard the Queen wearing a turban instead of a traditional bearskin as F Company Scots Guard arrive for the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, London. (Anthony Devlin/PA)
A SIKH SOLDIER has made history by becoming the first to guard the British monarch while wearing a turban instead of the traditional bearskin hats.
Jatenderpal Singh Bhullar, a 25-year-old soldier with the Scots Guards regiment, took part in the changing of the guard at the London home of Queen Elizabeth II.
Sikhs wear turbans as a mark of honour, self-respect, courage, spirituality, and piety - and have done so in battles for centuries while fighting for the British Army.
“Conducting public duties while being a practicing Sikh and wearing my turban is a great honour for me,” Bhullar said.
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