The National Guards Unit originates from the Life Guards of Prince Alexander I Battenberg, instituted in 1879. The first official escort of a Bulgarian monarch was performed on 12 July 1879. To commemorate this occasion, 12 July is marked as the official holiday of the National Guards Unit. Since its establishment, the Guards unit has been transformed from an escort of the Prince to a squadron, then to a regiment and, after 1942, to a battalion. At present it includes guard-of-honour elements and a ceremonial brass band.
In 2001 the National Guards Unit was endorsed as a representative military formation of the Bulgarian Armed Forces and is one of the symbols of state power, along with the national flag, coat of arms and anthem.
The info has been taken from the original site of the Presidency - www.president.bg