I think there are 4 or 5 different varieties
Got that wrong didn't I - there are
NINE different ones.
PATTERNS OF AIGUILLETTES
Aiguillettes are to be worn by entitled officers as indicated at Annex B to this chapter. The patterns of aiguillettes are as follows:
Type 1. Gold seven-line orris cord with gilt crown and miniature Royal Cypher (¾in (19mm) square), in capital letters, on tags to be worn on the right shoulder (para 0907b).
Type 2. Gold seven-line orris cord with no device on tags, to be worn on the right shoulder (Annex B, b, c and f).
Type 2a.As for Type 2, in miniature size, to be worn by female RAF officers and PMRAFNS, with No 5 SD (Annex B, b, c and f).
Type 3. Gold seven-line orris cord with gilt eagle and crown on tags, to be worn on the right shoulder (Annex B, d).
Type 4. Blue and gold seven-line orris cord with silver eagle and crown on tags, to be worn on the right shoulder (Annex B, e).
Type 5. Blue and gold seven-line orris cord with silver eagle and crown on tags, to be worn on the left shoulder (Annex B, g).
Type 6. Blue and gold seven-line orris cord with no device on tags, to be worn on the right shoulder (Annex B, h).
Type 7. Blue and gold seven-line orris cord with no device on tags, to be worn on the left shoulder (Annex B, j).
Type 7a.As for Type 7, in miniature size, to be worn by female RAF officers with No 5 SD (Annex B, j).
The Staish ADC variety is Type 2/2a and is also worn by Hon Physician, Surgeon, Dental Surgeon, Chaplain and Nursing Sister to the Sovereign, that is the specialist branches' equivalents of ADCs to HM.
Other types are for Personal ADCs to HM, Equerries, Air Attaches, ADCs to Governors and Governors General, and "normal" ADCs and PSOs, ie outer office staff to VSOs. MRAFs have a separate one too!
And for further complication, as you can see, some are worn on the left shoulder and some on the right .....
