The Queen's Royal Lancers formed in 1993 when the 16th/5th and 17th/21st Lancers amalgamated. The various constituent Regiments trace their formation back to the 18th century and in the case of the 5th Lancers back to the late 17th century. Over the course of their history, the Regiments saw service in every corner of the British Empire and fought in many famous campaigns such as the American war of independence, Peninsular War, Waterloo, the Boer War, the Great War and the Second World War to name but a few.
The Regiment wears the motto "Death or Glory", as its cap badge, given to the 17th Lancers on formation, following the death of General Wolfe from his wounds after their success against the French in Quebec.