Art is from 2016.

Artist’s description from DA:

Rares had the honor of being accepted into the royal guard when she was drafted. However, she had a tough time. She had the toughest time of the entire Mane Six, partially because she didn’t like being told what to do. But over time she learned to shut her mouth and do what the stupid brute of a drill sergeant said. She also hated that they cut her mane so short. Like, buzz cut short. It grew out again after what seemed like forever, but then it was back to the clippers.

Rarity was stationed primarily in Canterlot as a guard. She worked in security and escorts. She spent a while learning how to be a sniper too, which her attention to detail and patience with a task helped a lot. Her skills in long range precision gave her a one was ticket over seas to Gryphus where she and five other soldiers shared an abandoned apartment room the size of a shoe box while they were surveying a possible enemy safe house for the king of Gryphus. They never had the opportunity to nail King Rhydos but they did get one of his council members.

After the war Rarity found it hard to pick up the needle again and concentrate on dresses and hats. She’d seen things and needed serious, important work to distract her. She asked Princess Celestia for assistance in becoming a diplomat and over time worked her way up in the political world on Equestria. In this image she is currently Madame Rarity, Governess of Canterlot, but later she goes on to be the Representative of the First Province.