The 1st (His Majesty's Own) Troop of Horse Guards was formed from King Charles II's exiled followers in the Netherlands (the Stuart monarchs had been overthrown during the English Civil War, and replaced with the Commonwealth). The regiment was formed in 1658, and placed on the English establishment three years later, with the official formation of the "modern" British Army. It fought at Dettingen, along with four other troops of the Royal Horse Guards, and eventually absorbed the 3rd Troop of Horse Guards and the 1st Troop, Horse Grenadier Guards. On 25 June 1788, the regiment became the 1st Regiment of Life Guards.

Colonels and former names of the 1st Troop, Horse Guards

(17 May 1660 - 16 September 1668) (16 September 1668 - 29 November 1679) (29 November 1679 - 1 August 1685) (1 August 1685 - 2 April 1689) (2 April 1689 - 9 March 1699) (9 March 1699 - 26 July 1710) (26 July 1710 -7 July 1713) (7 July 1713 - 10 May 1715) (10 May 1715 - 20 September 1721) (20 September 1721 - 4 July 1733) (4 July 1733 - 21 June 1737) (21 June 1737 - 30 August 1737) (30 August 1737 - 16 March 1766) in 1746 absorbed 3rd Troop of Horse Guards On 1 July 1751 a royal warrant provided that in future regiments would not be known by their colonels' names, but by their "number or rank". (21 March 1766 - 12 December 1777) (12 December 1777 - 25 June 1788) in 1788 absorbed 1st Troop, Horse Grenadier Guards On 25 June 1788 became 1st Regiment of Life Guards