# The reign of King Charles III of the United Kingdom **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [September 8, 2022, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-reign-of-king-charles-iii-of-the-united-kingdom/971232 "2022-09-08T18:05:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 116
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2026, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-reign-of-king-charles-iii-of-the-united-kingdom/971232/2304 "2026-09-25T19:11:34Z")
_I want a soldier [(A soldier in a busby)](https://voetica.com/poem/3321) I want a soldier to come and play with me._ That’s how a six-year-old American kid learned what a busby is. ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2026, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-reign-of-king-charles-iii-of-the-united-kingdom/971232/2305 "2026-09-25T20:52:31Z")
“Matt Busby. Dig it. Dig it. Dig it. Dig it.” I learned that from the Beatles. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2026, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-reign-of-king-charles-iii-of-the-united-kingdom/971232/2306 "2026-09-25T21:32:28Z")
A shako does that too, and isn’t all fluffy. ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2026, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-reign-of-king-charles-iii-of-the-united-kingdom/971232/2307 "2026-09-25T23:08:25Z")
Shakos are ugly. Just revive the [Home Service Helmet.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pith_helmet#Home_Service_helmet) ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2026, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-reign-of-king-charles-iii-of-the-united-kingdom/971232/2308 "2026-09-25T23:17:02Z")
What I’ve always wondered about those big fuzzy hats - what’s with those chin-straps that don’t go under the chin? ---
**Author:** ![Toxylon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f05b48/32.png) [@Toxylon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toxylon)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2026, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-reign-of-king-charles-iii-of-the-united-kingdom/971232/2309 "2026-09-26T05:49:20Z")
I guess it was determined that chin-straps under the chin makes the guards look dorkish. Now they just look weird. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2026, 6:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-reign-of-king-charles-iii-of-the-united-kingdom/971232/2310 "2026-09-26T06:26:05Z")
> [@Senegoid](#): > > what’s with those chin-straps that don’t go under the chin? I’ve often noticed the same on British Bobby helmets … [![](https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR0DdkZSU21d_hFGFmakqaHrJeI2EhJ1KbgMQvMDqrcIgig2ycAWY_zVW8&s=10) ](https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR0DdkZSU21d_hFGFmakqaHrJeI2EhJ1KbgMQvMDqrcIgig2ycAWY_zVW8&s=10) ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2026, 7:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-reign-of-king-charles-iii-of-the-united-kingdom/971232/2311 "2026-09-26T07:17:54Z")
They’re held in place by their stiff upper lip. ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2026, 7:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-reign-of-king-charles-iii-of-the-united-kingdom/971232/2312 "2026-09-26T07:18:33Z")
Less damage if someone/thing tries to knock the helmet off. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2026, 10:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-reign-of-king-charles-iii-of-the-united-kingdom/971232/2313 "2026-09-26T10:52:14Z")
Right - better to damage your worthless skull than an expensive helmet. ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2026, 11:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-reign-of-king-charles-iii-of-the-united-kingdom/971232/2314 "2026-09-26T11:19:22Z")
I meant less damage to the head. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2026, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-reign-of-king-charles-iii-of-the-united-kingdom/971232/2315 "2026-09-26T17:40:04Z")
Yep. Knock the helmet off backwards and now your constable has a garrote around their neck with a large easy to grab & turn handle on the back. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2026, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-reign-of-king-charles-iii-of-the-united-kingdom/971232/2316 "2026-09-26T21:46:17Z")
That’s not how straps work. If they’re tightened properly, they’ll keep your helmet on your head. Period. Here’s a different sequence: first blow knocks your unsecured helmet off, second blow caves your head in. A lot more likely than your garrotting scenario. ---
**Author:** ![mbh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@mbh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbh)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2026, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-reign-of-king-charles-iii-of-the-united-kingdom/971232/2317 "2026-09-26T22:59:31Z")
The chinstrap thing is a Regimental Tradition. Some regiments are officially required to wear it under the chin. Other regiments are officially required to wear it between the chin and the lower lip. As far as I can tell, all of the Foot Guard regiments wear it above the chin. In the Household Cavalry, the Life Guards wear helmets with the chinstrap in front of the chin, the Blues and Royals wear helmets with the chinstrap under the chin. ---
**Author:** ![fachverwirrt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/94ad74/32.png) [@fachverwirrt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fachverwirrt)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2026, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-reign-of-king-charles-iii-of-the-united-kingdom/971232/2318 "2026-09-26T23:15:14Z")
It’s a chin strap, not a submandibular strap. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2026, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-reign-of-king-charles-iii-of-the-united-kingdom/971232/2319 "2026-09-27T00:30:04Z")
Virtually all of these 18th and 19th century ceremonial headgear look ridiculous. Strapped or strapless, absurdly tall or short and squat. They are all stupid-looking. Bearskins, busbies, plumed helms - all of them are garbage. The sole exception is the beret. Which still looks pretentious. But at least not stupid 🙂. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2026, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-reign-of-king-charles-iii-of-the-united-kingdom/971232/2320 "2026-09-27T00:39:38Z")
> [@Tamerlane](#): > > They are all stupid-looking. Next you’ll be telling me the Swiss Guard are overdressed. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2026, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-reign-of-king-charles-iii-of-the-united-kingdom/971232/2321 "2026-09-27T04:22:24Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Next you’ll be telling me the Swiss Guard are overdressed. Both the steel helmets and the sorta berets are cool. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2026, 10:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-reign-of-king-charles-iii-of-the-united-kingdom/971232/2322 "2026-09-27T10:26:48Z")
It’s impossible to look uncool while wielding a halbard. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2026, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-reign-of-king-charles-iii-of-the-united-kingdom/971232/2323 "2026-09-27T13:41:35Z")
Eh, there’s always the Harrison Ford move when some clown is waving obsolete weaponry at you from a decent distance. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-reign-of-king-charles-iii-of-the-united-kingdom/971232.md?page=115) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-reign-of-king-charles-iii-of-the-united-kingdom/971232.md?page=117)