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.

By Jennifer Wade Saturday 15 Dec 2012, 9:53 AM

Dec 15th 2012, 9:53 AM 14,780 Views 94 Comments

http://jrnl.ie/717147

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.

Short URL

About the author:

About the author

Jennifer Wade

jen@thejournal.ie

See more articles by Jennifer Wade

Contribute to this story:

Send a Correction

COMMENTS (94)

∞

About Us

Corrections

Report Content

Policies

TheJournal.ie supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and the Office of the Press Ombudsman, and our staff operate within the Code of Practice. You can obtain a copy of the Code, or contact the Council, at www.presscouncil.ie, PH: (01) 6489130, Lo-Call 1890 208 080 or email: info@presscouncil.ie

Please note that TheJournal.ie uses cookies to improve your experience and to provide services and advertising. For more information on cookies please refer to our cookies policy.

News images provided by Press Association and Photocall Ireland unless otherwise stated. Irish sport images provided by Inpho Photography unless otherwise stated. Wire service provided by Associated Press.

Journal Media does not control and is not responsible for user created content, posts, comments, submissions or preferences. Users are reminded that they are fully responsible for their own created content and their own posts, comments and submissions and fully and effectively warrant and indemnify Journal Media in relation to such content and their ability to make such content, posts, comments and submissions available. Journal Media does not control and is not responsible for the content of external websites.

UK: Sikh soldier becomes first to guard Queen while wearing turban