The Duke of Wellington was played by Alan Larsen during the re-enactments to celebrate the Bicentenary of the Battle of Waterloo.

The 54 year old historical events consultant lives in Bolsover, Derbyshire in England.

He is passionate about horse riding and a fervent admirer of the Duke, describing him enthusiastically as “the great victor of the Battle of Waterloo, who always did his utmost to protect the lives of his men.”

In addition to his taste for smart clothes, cravats from the period and thoroughbred horses, Alan Larsen, like Wellington, has an excellent sense of humour and is an accomplished rider.

Alan Larsen has considerable experience of historical re-enactments.

He has played many roles, including that of William the Conqueror during the re-enactment of the Battle of Hastings (1066) in 2012, where he commanded more than 100 Norman cavalrymen on the original battlefield.

He has also taken part in major re-enactments in France, Spain, the Czech Republic, Ukraine, South Africa and the USA.

“I caught the re-enactment bug a long time ago when I was 12. I was passionate about war films, including the film Waterloo. This love of history has never left me,” says Larsen.

Alan Larsen puts his heart and soul into his passion and has even been known to suffer physically for it: “In the 35 years that I have been taking part in re-enactments as a rider I have had many falls, I’ve been kicked by hooves, dragged along, scratched, bitten ... but I’ve never been seriously hurt!

On the other hand, several years ago I played the role of an infantryman and was hit by a bullet that was fired accidentally. It went straight through my carotid artery! I was extremely lucky to survive.”

On 18, 19 and 20 June 2015, during the Bicentenary celebrations of the Battle of Waterloo, the role of the young Prince of Orange was played by Eric Edelman.

This 29 year-old Dutchman grew up in Amsterdam and currently lives in Maastricht.

He studied medicine and works for a company that develops IT material for the medical sector.

He has his age and his horsemanship skills to thank for the role of the Prince, which he feels very honoured to play.

Picture courtesy: Stephan Vroom

Vorwarts! The hero of the Prussian army, General Field-Marshal Blücher, was played by the German, Klaus Beckert.

Beckert’s passion for re-enactments came about quite unexpectedly, thanks to his son.

It dates from 1982, when Klaus Beckert (aged 45) went with his son to a commemoration of the Battle of the Nations in Leipzig.

He was hooked immediately.

In the same year he became a member of a study group on military history.

Six years later he learnt to ride and then joined a cavalry group as a simple hussar.

And so a passion was born.

This is the face of the Emperor ... well for the 200th anniversary re-enactment of Waterloo anyway!

He is Frank Samson, a 47-year-old lawyer originally from Orleans, who has been chosen to take on the title role of Napoleon 1st.

The re-enactment is over June 19 and 20.

For the very first time, the famous Royal Scots Greys regiment took part in a re-enactment of the Battle of Waterloo.

The re-enactors playing the role of these famous cavalrymen rode out under the name of the Greys & Glory as they reinterpret the heroic acts of this legendary regiment. 

For the first time in 200 years, "Scotland forever!", the war cry of the most prestigious British cavalry regiment, rang out across the plains of the battlefield of Waterloo.

Two centuries after the Battle, the impact that these 400 cavalrymen, mounted on their famous grey steeds, had at Waterloo has not been forgotten. Two centuries after the Battle, the role played at Waterloo by these 400 brave cavalrymen on their emblematic grey steeds has not been forgotten. The regiment, now an integral part of the British army and with so many military feats in its history, was looking to show its worth once again! 

Britain has belatedly honoured the nations that defeated Napoleon at Waterloo with huge commemorative silver medals, nearly 200 years after the awards were first commissioned.

Ambassadors from Austria, Russia and Germany were given the medal at a ceremony at Apsley House, Wellington's London home at Hyde Park Corner.

The Queen will receive one later. The 139mm awards were ordered by the Duke of Wellington’s brother days after the 1815 battle, to be presented to the sovereigns of the four victorious allied nations.

Benedetto Pistrucci, a renowned engraver of the time, produced the design but its size and intricacy meant it took 30 years to create the dies, by which time all the proposed recipients were dead.

The medal has now been struck in pure silver and at full size, in preparation for the 200th anniversary of the battle this year.