The Emperor's Royal Guard, also known as the Imperial Royal Guard, the Imperial Guard or under the Galactic Republic as the Red Guard or Royal Guard, was an elite unit whose members served as personal bodyguards to the Galactic Emperor. Fully clad in crimson robes and face-concealing helmets, the Emperor's guards were a silent, imposing, and deadly force armed with force pikes. In addition to strict requirements of size, strength, intelligence, and loyalty, only the most skilled soldiers in the Imperial Military qualified for duty in the Royal Guard.