of the colour guard, flanked by two or more individuals, typically armed with rifles or sabres. A colour sergeant major typically stands behind the colours carrying a pace stick. So, the formation (when the colours are combined on parade) is as follows: Colour Sergeants carrying rifles Ensigns Sergeant of the Guard Colour Sergeant Major behind the colour Aside from presenting arms and sabres, colour guards of the Commonwealth of Nations are expected to lower their flags to the ground in full and regular salutes in ceremonies and parades. Civilians should stand during such times and soldiers are expected to salute them when not in formation. United Kingdom As the British Army, the Royal Air Force, the Royal Marines and the Royal Navy have several types of colours, there are also colour guards for these colours and these colours and their colour guards are as follows: British Army (infantry) King's Colour – Union Flag (Crimson with insignia and the honours for the Guards Division) Colour Sergeants and Ensign State Colour – Crimson with insignia and the honours and the royal cypher at the corners, used only for the Guards Division in ceremonies in the presence of the monarch Colour Sergeants and Ensign Regimental colour – Union Flag on the canton with the regimental arms and honours Foot Guards regiments (Union Flag) Royal regiments (navy blue) Royal Irish Regiment (green) other regimental colours same as in the King's Colour Combined Colour Guards (units) Colour Sergeants, Ensign, Guard Sergeant of the Colours, Colour Sergeant Major Royal Air Force King's Colour – Royal Air Force Ensign with the sovereign's cypher and the RAF roundel Ensign and armed escorts RAF Ensign Same as King's Colour Squadron Colour – Air force blue with the unit insignia and honours same as King's Colour Combined Colour Guards (units) Colour Sgts., Ensigns, Guard Sergeant of the Colours, CSM British Army (cavalry) In the cavalry, the King's Standard or Guidon and the regimental/squadron standard or guidon (for the light cavalry only) are the equivalents to the King's and regimental colours. King's Standard – Crimson with the royal coat of arms, the royal cypher and the regimental honours Colour Sergeant/Corporal of Horse, Warrant Officers Regimental/squadron standard/guidon – Crimson or scarlet or other colours with the royal cypher, the Union Badge, regimental insignia and honours (only guidons are swallow tailed) same as in the King's Standard/Guidon Combined Colour Guards (units) Colour Corporals/Sergeants,