Thanks Smoker I didn't know their name til you posted that. I have found this information on them and this thread can be closed now.
Elegance and deadliness --- these are the hallmarks of the crimson-clad Royal Guard that accompanied the galaxy's sovereign at all times. While the guards can trace their origins to the cerulean-clad Senate Guards of the Republic, Palpatine crafted an order of protectors that stood apart from the rest of his forces.
Only the most promising of the Imperial ranks were selected for Royal Guard duty, based on stringent requirements of size, strength, intelligence, and loyalty. A Royal Guard was completely covered in flowing red robes and a sleek, featureless scarlet mask obscures their faces.
word is we will see them in there only ever on screen action in Ep 3... but it just consists of being immediately taken out by Yoda
Ya its interesting to watch the transition from royal guard to the imperial guards. In the PM some of Padme's hand maidens were wearing very similar outfits, though you could see their eyes. Eventually this same guard turned into Palp's royal guards in CW. I enjoy the transition from the Nubin guards to the Empire's royal guards, Lucus is doing a really god job of connecting these social and technological advances. As well its neat the see that the Jedi Fighter that anikin will use in ROTS eventually turns in the Empire's Tie-Fighter and the New ship wee see the ARC troopers fly eventually turns in the Rebel X-wing fighter.... good guys ship turns into the bad guys ships and vis versa...nice details for the fans to follow!