Reggimento Corazzieri (The Cuirassiers' Regiment) Rome Portrait Sittings

Reggimento Corazzieri (Rory Lewis Portrait Photographer) London & Rome

The Cuirassiers' Regiment (Reggimento Corazzieri, previously Comando Carabinieri Guardie del Presidente della Repubblica) is an Italian elite military unit and the honour guard of the President of the Italian Republic. Their motto "Virtus in periculis firmior" means Courage becomes stronger in danger.”

Photographing the Regiment has been one of my aims for quite some time. Luckily the Italian Army have been the subjects of my latest project Soldati della Repubblica. Making a few enquires, I was able to contact the Commander of the Regiment in Rome and after some organisation, we arranged sittings on 25th September 2018.

Members of the unit, which is a specialised company of the Carabinieri, are distinguished by their uniforms and height. To a (5 ft 6 in) photographer, the minimum height for admission is into the Corazzieri is 190 cm (6 ft 3 in). Land of the giants sprung to mind, each member of the regiment imposing and formidable.

The unit's history dates back to the late 14th century, when the Red Count Amadeus VII, Count of Savoy used a lifeguard of archers. In the 16th century, Emmanuel Philibert re-organized the Savoiard army, creating a personal guard unit of mounted archers (Guardia D'Onore), which fought brilliantly in the Battle of St. Quentin (1557).

Reggimento Corazzieri (Rory Lewis Portrait Photographer) London & Rome

This guard saved Charles Emmanuel I during the siege of Mons (1590). Charles Emmanuel created a company of cuirassiers (Compagnia Corazzieri del Duca), and this unit was enlarged by his successors until 1854, when the Carabinieri received the role of guards of the King during the campaigns. On 7 February 1868, for the wedding of Prince Umberto to Margherita of Savoy, a mounted honor guard of 80 Carabinieri was formed, called the Squadrone Carabinieri Guardie del Re.

The new unit was formally recognised as Carabinieri Guardie del Re on 7 January 1870, when it was entrusted with the safety of the king. After the end of the Kingdom of Italy, and the proclamation of the Republic, the unit was re-founded in 1946, and organised as a cavalry squadron.

Reggimento Corazzieri (Rory Lewis Portrait Photographer) London & Rome

The members of the Regiment, which are a specialised force of the Carabinieri, are distinguished by their uniforms and height; which is why becoming a cuirassier is anything but easy. In addition to physical requirements (at least 190 cm in height and an "adequately harmonious" constitution) and an undisputed personal and family morality, it is necessary to have excellent disciplinary and service records, demonstrated by at least six months of territorial service and as many months of traineeship in the Regiment (with a final exam).

Reggimento Corazzieri (Rory Lewis Portrait Photographer) London & Rome

They must know how to ride perfectly the horses of the unit, all of Irish breed, chosen for their versatility of use; in fact, they are selected in excess of the average size, at least 1.70 meters at the withers, as well as for the beauty and colour of the mantle. In recent times, however, the Italian breed, which is offering horses with the same characteristics but at a lower price, is being re-evaluated.

Reggimento Corazzieri (Rory Lewis Portrait Photographer) London & Rome

Reggimento Corazzieri (Rory Lewis Portrait Photographer) London & Rome

A cuirassier must also be able to drive with great skill the impressive Moto Guzzi California, a means of complementary or alternative transport in daily services, but also in many ceremonial services. Importantly a cuirassier must have the physical endurance for prolonged standing service shifts, carried out with austere immobility but, above all, indispensable skills and readiness, to manage many delicate operational situations characterised by a large public presence and by the need to ensure a discreet, but always effective, protection.

The Corazzieri are also trained to escort the President of the Republic, for which they have a vast range of equipment, known as "bottino" ("booty"); among them are those trained for the role of sharpshooters, often used when the President of the Republic is exposed to the public. The Corazzieri are also trained in martial arts techniques, self defence and skydiving. It was indeed an honour to be invited to capture the portraits of one of the most elite units in the world.