The term Household Cavalry is used across the Commonwealth to describe the cavalry of the Household Divisions, a country’s most elite or historically senior military groupings or those military groupings that provide functions associated directly with the Head of state.

Canada's Governor General's Horse Guards, India's President's Bodyguard and Pakistan's President's Bodyguard are typical Household Cavalry regiments, employing armoured vehicles for combat duties and equestrian units for ceremonial functions. When used without national qualification, however, the term generally refers to the Household Cavalry of the British Army.

The British Household Cavalry is made up of two regiments of the British armed forces, the Life Guards and the Blues and Royals (Royal Horse Guards and 1st Dragoons). These regiments are divided between the Armoured Regiment stationed at Combermere Barracks in Windsor and the ceremonial mounted unit stationed at Knightsbridge Barracks, London at the HCMR (Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment).