Royal Procession

The Royal Procession is composed of elite Firebenders called Imperial Firebenders who serve the Fire Lord and their family as personal soldiers and guards. They are always silent on duty. They are seen intermittently throughout the series.

Uniform
The Royal Procession wear helmets that have a "three point theme". There are three red spikes on the top of the helmet, three eye holes and shard shaped mouth holes. Captains have helmets, but no face masks.

History
In the episode "Zuko Alone", Iroh is seen with two Imperial Firebenders at his side while writing a letter during the Siege of Ba Sing Se in a flashback.

In the episode "The Avatar State", Azula is accompanied by at least thirty of them in her ship. Iroh and Zuko are able to out do them when they learn that they were being taken prisoners. After being advised by Lo and Li, Azula decides to leave them in favor of a smaller, elite team, and sets off the enlist Mai and Ty Lee. It is unknown who operated Azula's ship after they were transferred to different places.

In "The Day of Black Sun, Part 2: The Eclipse", they are seen in Fire Lord Ozai's secret bunker, to serve as protection during the eclipse in the event an enemy found them. As they are deprived of their bending, they are shown carrying spears.

In "Sozin's Comet, Part 1: The Phoenix King" The Royal Procession is briefly seen at the coronation of Phoenix King Ozai. Imperial Firebenders are seen holding up the banners of the Phoenix King. The Royal Procession seems to be involved in not only protecting the Fire Nation Royal Family, but also in day-to-day Royal activities and ceremonies.

In "Sozin's Comet, Part 3: Into The Inferno", Azula starts to become paranoid, and ends up banishing nearly all of her subjects, including the Imperial Firebenders present at the palace at the time, as mentioned by Lo and Li. Imperial Firebenders are seen as the crew of the airship fleet, burning a large section of the Wulong Forest and defending the ships from intruders. After Fire Lord Zuko ends the war, it is probable that these troops have been reinstated as bodyguards.