[11] The Princess Anne's regiment was formed of independent troops of horse raised in June, 1685, and the Colonelcy conferred on the Earl of Scarsdale, who was succeeded, on the 1st of December, 1687, by Charles, Duke of St. Alban's. This regiment was remarkable for being one of the first corps which joined the Prince of Orange in November, 1688; having been conducted to His Highness's quarters by the Lieutenant-Colonel, Thomas Langston, who was immediately promoted to the Colonelcy of the regiment, and his brother, Captain Francis Langston, of the Royal Dragoons, was promoted to the Lieutenant-Colonelcy. Colonel Thomas Langston died of a fever at Lisburn, in Ireland, in December, 1689, and the Colonelcy of the regiment was conferred on his brother Francis. This regiment served at the battles of the Boyne and Aghrim in Ireland, and at Steenkirk in the Netherlands; but having lost many men and horses, the remainder were transferred to other corps, and the regiment was taken off the establishment of the army in the autumn of 1692. The officers served _en seconde_ until vacancies occurred in other regiments. [12] When the regimental record was read to King William IV. in November, 1835, at the Royal Pavilion, Brighton, His Majesty observed--'I was often at the house where the peace of Ryswick was signed. It was then the property of the Earl of Athlone, but now belongs to the Duchess of Saxe-Meiningen, sister to her Majesty the Queen.' [13] Official Records in Ireland. [14] While the regiment was on Dublin duty the following curious order was received. '_Dublin, 31st January, 1764._ 'Lieutenant-General Fowkes recommends to the officers of the garrison that they would not play at the castle whilst on duty; and that the officers of the Horse Guards will avoid mixing with the ladies in the drawing-room, on account of the inconveniency of spurs to the ladies' hoop petticoats. (Signed) 'D. GRANT, Captain 52nd Reg., for the Major of Brigade.' [15] It has been stated that the troop-horses' tails were first docked in 1698; but the practice did not become general until ten years afterwards. [16] See the Royal Warrant of the 19th December, 1768.