Love that stance and the uniform.

@McClaw  
Basically like how the Aztecs and Samurai and medieval Europeans among other cultures did it – the warriors with the greatest battle honors, who were rewarded with rank, end up wearing the fanciest armor. Both so the troops can rally on them and so the enemy knows who they are.
 
Of course that latter can lead to its own problems. I read about one Aztec Revered Speaker (their Emperor) who rewarded one ambitious noble with the ‘right’ to wear his armor in battle. And to lead the assault. He was hacked to bits by every single warrior on the enemy side who wanted to claim the glory of killing him.

@McClaw  
Aye. Look at the Landsknechte of old. They looked like peacocks, yet they were some of the most dangerous mercenaries around.

@Ardashir  
Very true. The trick is to put the uniforms (fancy or otherwise) on those who have become soldiers instead of hoping putting them in one will change them.

@Starswirl  
Which can be very helpful on the hurly-burly of a battlefield.

@Ardashir  
It also makes it clear to the other soldiers that this is a high-ranking officer. Which indeed he is, be it captain or later prince.

@McClaw  
It can help provide the sense that one is part of a elite and must act appropriately. Howe many battles through history have been won not because one side was better armed, or had a better commander, or had the advantage of position, but simply because the troops were too ashamed to be seen running by their fellows?
 
Of course that’s lead to some disasters too, but every advantage has its disadvantage.

Fancy garb does not a soldier make.

@FirelordofHyrule  
Over on his DA page Baron told me that was part of the inspiration. The French always loved their cavalry.

@Background Pony #F424  
That may be because he’s sheathing or unsheathing it right now. Or of course Baron may have just drawn it a little off.

Is it me, or does that sword look a little oversized for a standard-issue weapon?

Looks a lot like a French cuirassier

I wonder if the combs atop those helmets (both here and IRL) were meant to provide extra defense against overhand cuts to the head?

Some say the helmets are intentionally silly-looking, so that the guards can take out their frustration on intruders.