noun
royal guard; imperial guard; monarch's personal guard
Refers to guards or troops assigned to protect a monarch or ruler directly. In modern usage it is especially common as the first element of compounds such as 親衛隊.
国王の親衛隊が宮殿の門を守っていた。
The king's royal guard was guarding the palace gate.
皇帝は信頼する兵士を親衛兵に選んだ。
The emperor chose trusted soldiers as his personal guards.
A common compound meaning a royal, imperial, or personal guard corps; often more natural in ordinary sentences than standalone 親衛.
Sino-Japanese compound: 親 suggests closeness or direct relation, and 衛 means guarding or defense. The spelling is conventionally associated with guards who protect a ruler at close range.