An Irish protestant Regiment raised by William the 3rd as the 8th Dragoons in 1693 to replace another Regiment he had already ordered to go to Flanders during his war in the Low Countries against the French. By 1742 it had been numbered the "8th"and on the 25th December 1775 became Light Dragoons. In 1777 it was granted the Royal title "The Kings Royal Irish" and on the 21st September 1822 it was converted to "Hussars". Service in England followed with Squadrons serving in a variety of locations from Brighton to Newcastle. They passed three tours in Ireland including acting as escort to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert on their first visit to Dublin in 1849. Following the disasterous Charge of the Light Brigade, the Regiment was sent to India to help quell the Mutiny.

On June 17th 1858 at Gwalior, a Squadron charged and routed several hundred rebel horsemen. They later attacked a large force of infantry and cavalry who were attempting to flee the city. The rebel cavalry leader the Rani of Jhansi was killed by a Hussar. Four Victoria Crosses were awarded for this action. The Regiment spent the rest of the Mutiny in operations across central India.