The Coldstream Guards Cap Badge (CapStar): History, Symbolism and Meaning

Introduction

Among the cap badges worn by the British Army, few are as immediately recognisable — or as deeply rooted in royal and military tradition — as the Coldstream Guards CapStar. Based on the Star of the Order of the Garter, Britain's oldest and most prestigious order of chivalry, the badge connects the regiment to a tradition of royal service that stretches back to the fourteenth century. Its eight-pointed star, bearing the Cross of St George and the Garter motto Honi Soit Qui Mal Y Pense, is one of the most heraldically complex and historically significant pieces of insignia in the British Army.

The regiment itself is the oldest continuously serving regiment in the Regular Army, formed in 1650 and carrying a battle record that spans the English Civil War, the Napoleonic Wars, the Crimea, two World Wars, and operations in the Gulf, the Balkans, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Its regimental motto — Nulli Secundus, Second to None — reflects the regiment's response to being placed second in Foot Guards precedence despite its earlier formation.

This guide explores the history of the Coldstream Guards, the origins and symbolism of the CapStar, the significance of each heraldic element, the regiment's operational record, and why the badge remains one of the best-known pieces of British military insignia for veterans and collectors today.

About This Guide

This article has been researched and written by Precision Military Emblems, a specialist producer of officially licensed British military emblems and museum-style heritage displays. Every article in our Military Heritage series is professionally researched using regimental histories, official records, museum collections, and authoritative secondary sources, to preserve the stories, symbolism and traditions behind Britain's regiments and corps.

Research Note: This article has been researched using regimental histories, official Army records, Guards Museum collections, heraldic sources and recognised reference works on British military insignia and the Household Division. Where historians disagree or evidence is incomplete, the interpretation presented reflects the balance of the available historical evidence.

Who Are the Coldstream Guards?

The Coldstream Guards are one of the five regiments of Foot Guards that form the Household Division — the regiments responsible for the ceremonial protection of the Sovereign and the royal palaces, and for providing high-readiness infantry battalions for operational deployment. The regiment was formed in 1650 by General George Monck from Parliamentary forces during the English Civil War, and takes its name from the Scottish border town of Coldstream, from which it marched to London in 1660.

That march — known as the March from Coldstream — came during the political crisis that followed the collapse of the Protectorate. Monck initially marched south to help restore parliamentary authority, before playing a decisive role in the return of King Charles II to the throne. The Coldstream Guards were formally incorporated into the regular establishment of the British Army at the Restoration in 1661, making them the oldest continuously serving regiment in the Regular Army.

The regiment is designated the Second Regiment of Foot Guards in the order of precedence. The Grenadier Guards hold the senior position because they entered Crown service earlier, at the Restoration, as the King's personal regiment in exile. The Coldstream Guards, formed earlier in 1650, entered Crown service at the same moment but from a different origin — a distinction that has shaped the regiment's identity and its motto Nulli Secundus ever since.

Key Dates: A Timeline of the Coldstream Guards

Year	Event
1650	Regiment formed by General George Monck from Parliamentary forces during the English Civil War.
1660	March from Coldstream to London; Monck plays a decisive role in the Restoration of King Charles II.
1661	Regiment formally incorporated into the regular establishment of the British Army.
1704–1709	Regiment serves in the War of the Spanish Succession: Gibraltar, Barcelona, Almanza, Oudenarde and Malplaquet.
1815	Regiment serves at the Battle of Waterloo; the defence of Hougoumont farm is a defining action of the battle.
1854–1856	Regiment serves in the Crimean War, including the Battle of the Alma and the Siege of Sevastopol.
1899–1902	Regiment serves in the Second Boer War in South Africa.
1914–1918	Regiment serves throughout the First World War on the Western Front; significant casualties at Ypres, the Somme, and Passchendaele.
1939–1945	Regiment serves in the Second World War in North Africa, Italy, and North-West Europe.
1990–1991	Regiment deploys to the Gulf War (Operation GRANBY).
1990s	Regiment serves on operations in the Balkans (Bosnia and Kosovo).
2005	Regiment serves in Iraq (Operation TELIC).
2007, 2009–2010	Regiment serves in Afghanistan (Operation HERRICK), including tours in Helmand Province.
2022	Regiment provides ceremonial duties at the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II and at the accession of King Charles III.

Origins of the Coldstream Guards Cap Badge

The Coldstream Guards cap badge — formally known as the CapStar — is based on the Star of the Order of the Garter, Britain's oldest and most prestigious order of chivalry. The Order of the Garter was founded by King Edward III in 1348, and the Garter Star has long served as the regimental emblem of the Coldstream Guards, reflecting the regiment's centuries-old connection to the Sovereign and the Household Division.

Within the Foot Guards, the term "CapStar" has long been used in preference to "cap badge", reflecting the star-shaped insignia derived from the Order of the Garter and distinguishing it from the badges worn by other regiments. Documented patterns became increasingly standardised by the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries; the National Army Museum holds a Pattern 1905 Other Rank example that illustrates the established form of the badge at that period.

Unlike the cap badges of most British Army regiments, the Coldstream Guards CapStar carries no Royal Crown. The authorised design consists of the eight-pointed Garter Star, the Cross of St George, and the Garter bearing the motto Honi Soit Qui Mal Y Pense. Because the badge carries no crown device, its core heraldic design was unaffected by the transitions between King's Crown and Queen's Crown that changed the appearance of many other British Army badges — although proportions, materials, finishes, fittings and manufacturer details vary across periods and examples.

The Coldstream Guards Cap Badge: Symbolism and Meaning

The Star of the Order of the Garter

The eight-pointed breast star of the Order of the Garter forms the body of the badge. Its eight-pointed form derives from heraldic convention, and its association with the Order of the Garter connects the Coldstream Guards directly to the highest order of chivalry in the British honours system. The star's rays radiate outward from the central device, giving the badge its distinctive and immediately recognisable silhouette.

The Cross of St George

At the centre of the star sits the Cross of St George — the red cross on a white ground that serves as the national symbol of England and the emblem of the patron saint of the Order of the Garter. The Cross of St George has been associated with English military identity since the medieval period, and its presence at the heart of the Coldstream Guards badge reinforces the regiment's deep roots in English military tradition.

The Garter and Motto

Encircling the Cross of St George is the Garter itself — the velvet garter that gives the Order its name — bearing the famous motto: Honi Soit Qui Mal Y Pense. Translated from Old French as Shame on him who thinks evil of it, the motto has been associated with the Order of the Garter since its foundation in 1348. The precise origin of the motto is the subject of historical debate, but its association with the Order — and through the Order with the Coldstream Guards — is unbroken across nearly seven centuries.

The Regimental Motto: Nulli Secundus

The regimental motto of the Coldstream Guards is Nulli Secundus — Latin for Second to None. The motto reflects the regiment's response to being placed second in Foot Guards precedence despite being the oldest continuously serving regiment in the Regular Army. Nulli Secundus is the regiment's enduring assertion that seniority of precedence is not the same as seniority of service.

Operational Service: The Coldstream Guards in Action

The Restoration and Early Campaigns (1660–1700s)

The regiment's defining early act was the March from Coldstream in 1660, when General Monck led his forces south during the political crisis that followed the collapse of the Protectorate, playing a decisive role in the return of King Charles II to the throne. In the decades that followed, the regiment served in the campaigns of King William III and in the War of the Spanish Succession under the Duke of Marlborough, with documented service at Gibraltar, Barcelona, Almanza, Oudenarde and Malplaquet.

The Napoleonic Wars and Waterloo (1793–1815)

The Coldstream Guards served throughout the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. Their most celebrated action came at the Battle of Waterloo on 18 June 1815, where the regiment played a critical role in the defence of Hougoumont farm — a fortified position on the right flank of the Allied line. The Coldstream Guards formed a key part of the force that defended the farm against repeated French attacks throughout the day, and the action remains central to the regiment's history.

The Crimean War (1854–1856)

The regiment served in the Crimean War, including the Battle of the Alma and the long Siege of Sevastopol. The Crimean campaign exposed serious deficiencies in British military organisation and logistics, and the experience drove significant reforms in the British Army in the decades that followed.

The First World War (1914–1918)

The Coldstream Guards served throughout the First World War on the Western Front, forming part of the Guards Division — an elite formation consistently deployed at the most demanding points of the line. The regiment suffered significant casualties at Ypres, the Somme, and Passchendaele, and its service record across four years of industrial warfare stands as a testament to the endurance and professionalism of its soldiers.

The Second World War (1939–1945)

The Coldstream Guards served in the Second World War in North Africa, Italy, and North-West Europe, including the battles at El Alamein, the difficult terrain of the Italian peninsula, and the Normandy campaign through to the final advance into Germany. The Second World War saw the regiment serve in both their traditional infantry role and in the armoured role, reflecting the Army's adaptation to the demands of modern mechanised warfare.

The Gulf War, Balkans, Iraq and Afghanistan

The regiment deployed to the Gulf War (Operation GRANBY, 1990–1991) as part of the 1st (UK) Armoured Division, served in Bosnia and Kosovo during the 1990s, deployed to Iraq (Operation TELIC, 2005), and served in Afghanistan (Operation HERRICK, 2007 and 2009–2010), including tours in Helmand Province. Their service in Afghanistan added a further chapter to a regimental history spanning more than three and a half centuries of continuous operational service.

Collecting the Coldstream Guards CapStar

The Coldstream Guards CapStar is a well-established focus for collectors of British military insignia. Its distinctive design, heraldic complexity, and association with one of the most famous regiments in the world make it a natural subject for those interested in Household Division badges. Because the CapStar carries no Royal Crown, collectors assess examples primarily by material, fittings, finish, dimensions, manufacturer and provenance rather than crown pattern — no single feature proves or disproves authenticity; these factors must be considered together.

Victorian and Edwardian Patterns

Among the earliest CapStars encountered by collectors are those from the Victorian and Edwardian periods. The National Army Museum holds a Pattern 1905 Other Rank example that provides a useful reference point. Many surviving early examples are constructed from gilded brass. Collectors should examine the depth of relief, sharpness of detail, and construction method when assessing period examples, bearing in mind that quality and finish varied between manufacturers.

Officers' versus Other Rank CapStars

There is a recognised distinction between Officers' CapStars and Other Rank CapStars, with officers' examples generally produced to a higher specification. Some were produced by specialist military tailors and badge makers to individual commission. Collectors should be cautious about broad generalisations regarding officers' materials without reference to specific documented examples.

Gilt, Silver and Staybrite Examples

Gilt brass examples are the most commonly encountered for Other Ranks across the Victorian, Edwardian, and early twentieth-century periods. Staybrite anodised aluminium badges were introduced for everyday wear from the mid-twentieth century onwards, identifiable by their lighter weight and distinctive bright finish. Collectors should assess finish alongside other physical characteristics rather than relying on finish alone as a dating indicator.

Fixing Methods

Original Coldstream Guards CapStars vary in their fixing methods. Slider fittings and lug fittings are both encountered, and the type of fitting is one of several indicators that should be assessed alongside metal type, finish, dimensions, construction and maker's marks when evaluating an example.

Genuine versus Reproduction CapStars

Reproductions of the Coldstream Guards CapStar exist for the re-enactment, costume and collectors' markets. Assessing authenticity requires consideration of several factors together: construction method, metal type and weight, finish, fixing method, dimensions, maker's marks, wear and provenance. No single characteristic is conclusive. Where authenticity or value is important, a specialist militaria dealer or auction house with experience of Household Division insignia should be consulted.

Provenance

A CapStar accompanied by service records, photographs or other documentation that establishes its history tells a far richer story than the insignia alone. Provenance can be especially valuable where an item can be linked to a particular soldier, campaign or period of service. Collectors should consider the badge and its documentary history together rather than relying on one feature in isolation.

Displaying and Preserving the Coldstream Guards CapStar

Whether displaying an original period CapStar or a modern heritage emblem, correct preservation and presentation are important. Original insignia should be kept in a stable environment away from direct sunlight and significant fluctuations in temperature and humidity. Where an original badge is framed, conservation-quality mounting materials and suitable glazing can help reduce deterioration.

Many veterans, families and collectors choose to display the Coldstream Guards CapStar alongside medals, service photographs and other memorabilia, creating a lasting record of an individual's connection to the regiment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the Coldstream Guards cap badge called a CapStar?

Within the regiment and the Household Division, the term CapStar is traditionally used for the star-shaped badge. Its form is derived from the Star of the Order of the Garter.

Does the Coldstream Guards CapStar change with the monarch?

No. The core design carries no Royal Crown, so it is not divided into King's Crown and Queen's Crown versions in the way many other British Army cap badges are. Differences between surviving examples are more likely to reflect period, rank, manufacturer, material, construction or fittings.

What does Honi Soit Qui Mal Y Pense mean?

Honi Soit Qui Mal Y Pense is the motto of the Order of the Garter and is commonly translated as Shame on him who thinks evil of it.

What is the Order of the Garter?

The Most Noble Order of the Garter is Britain's oldest and most senior order of chivalry, founded by King Edward III in 1348. The Garter Star provides the heraldic basis for the Coldstream Guards CapStar.

Why are the Coldstream Guards second in Foot Guards precedence if they were formed earlier?

The regiment was formed in 1650, but the Grenadier Guards entered Crown service before the Coldstream Guards at the Restoration. The Coldstream Guards therefore became the Second Regiment of Foot Guards. The regimental motto Nulli Secundus — Second to None — reflects that distinction.

Are Coldstream Guards CapStars rare?

Availability varies greatly by period, construction, rank and provenance. Earlier or well-documented examples can be of particular interest to collectors, but rarity and value should be assessed against comparable authenticated examples rather than assumed from age or appearance alone.

The Coldstream Guards' Legacy

From the March from Coldstream and the Restoration to Hougoumont, the Crimea, two World Wars, the Gulf, the Balkans, Iraq and Afghanistan, the Coldstream Guards have maintained a continuous tradition of service stretching back to 1650. The CapStar — built around the Star of the Order of the Garter, the Cross of St George and the motto Honi Soit Qui Mal Y Pense — remains the visible expression of that heritage.

For veterans it is a reminder of service and comradeship; for families it can represent a personal connection to generations of military service; and for collectors it is one of the most recognisable pieces of Household Division insignia.

Further Reading

• British Army — Coldstream Guards — official information on the regiment's history, role and traditions.
• The Guards Museum — collections and interpretation covering the five regiments of Foot Guards and the Household Division.
• National Army Museum — collections and research resources covering British Army history and military insignia.
• Imperial War Museums — collections relating to the Coldstream Guards in the World Wars and modern operations.
• The National Archives — primary-source military records and regimental documentation.

Officially Licensed Coldstream Guards Emblems & Heritage Displays

The history represented by the Coldstream Guards CapStar is the same history that Precision Military Emblems aims to preserve through officially licensed British military emblems and display frames.

Both of the following Coldstream Guards products are produced under official MOD licence:

• Coldstream Guards Cap Badge | Officially Licensed — the standalone Coldstream Guards CapStar.
• Coldstream Guards Cap Badge Display Frame | Officially Licensed — the matching heritage display frame.

About Precision Military Emblems

Precision Military Emblems holds official Ministry of Defence licences to produce British military emblems and heritage displays for a growing range of regiments and corps. Our Military Heritage articles are intended to preserve the history, symbolism and traditions behind the insignia while providing clear routes to the corresponding officially licensed products where available.