Except for the Lord Commander, each of the members are given a color of the rainbow. Ser Loras Tyrell, Renly's lover, is the first appointee and Lord Commander.

To reflect his status, King Renly creates the Rainbow Guard, his own version of the Kingsguard. At the start of the War of the Five Kings in 298 AC, Renly Baratheon declares himself Lord of the Seven Kingdoms after the death of his brother, King Robert.