Ram-rod straight and still with a twinkle in his eye as he cracked a joke about a soldier’s fitness, the 99-year-old Duke of Edinburgh broke off from his well-deserved retirement for a brief military engagement today.
In his role Colonel-in-Chief of The Rifles, Prince Philip appeared at Windsor Castle this afternoon to take part in the official hand-over of the position after an involvement of 67 years to his successor, the Duchess of Cornwall.
Amid extreme social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic, the Queen’s consort Philip was at Windsor for the three-minute ceremony, while Camilla had a similar event at her Gloucestershire home of Highgrove House.
The Duke has been Colonel-in-Chief of The Rifles since its formation in 2007 but his connection stretches back further, as he has served as Colonel-in-Chief of successive Regiments which now make up The Rifles since 1953.
Camilla was appointed Royal Colonel of 4th Battalion The Rifles in 2007. Today, Philip stepped out of the castle’s Equerries Entrance, smart in his blazer, regimental tie and highly polished brogues, cheerily waving his hand.
The Assistant Colonel Commandant, Major General Tom Copinger-Symes, offered the salute and thanked him for his support and service to The Rifles, and their forming and antecedent Regiments.
The Duke of Edinburgh waves day as he arrives for the transfer of the Colonel-in-Chief of The Rifles at Windsor Castle
Some 100 miles away at Highgrove House in Gloucestershire this afternoon, Camilla was officially welcomed to the regiment
Prince Philip smiles during the transfer of the Colonel-in-Chief of The Rifles at Windsor Castle this afternoon
The Duke today takes part in a rare official public engagement in Windsor as he transfers his Colonel-in-Chief role
Philip, pictured today, has served as Colonel-in-Chief of successive Regiments which now make up The Rifles since 1953
He told him: ‘Your Royal Highness, Colonel-in-Chief, good morning. And happy Salamander Day [the annual regimental Day]. All Rifleman, whether serving or retired would like to thank you for 67 years of continuous service, support and leadership to the Rifles and to our forming and antecedent regiments.
‘And on this occasion, as you hand over your duties, as Colonel-in-Chief to her Royal Highness, the Duchess of Cornwall, we would like to wish you fair wind and following seas. And with that, Sir, may I have your leave for the Bugle Major to sound the Rifle Call and No More Parades.’
He later explained that the ‘fair wind and following seas’ was in reference to the duke’s distinguished naval service.
Four Buglers, of The Band and Bugles of The Rifles, then sounded The Rifles Assembly call, followed by the ‘No More Parades’ call, to mark The Duke of Edinburgh’s final ceremony as Colonel-in-Chief.
The Duke at Windsor Castle today, flanked by Assistant Colonel Commandant, Major General Tom Copinger-Symeas
The Duke of Edinburgh smiles at Windsor Castle today during a ceremony for the transfer of the Colonel-in-Chief of the Rifles
The Duke of Edinburgh is pictured at Windsor Castle during the ceremony which took place this afternoon
The Duke of Edinburgh speaks to a bugler at Windsor Castle during a ceremony for the transfer of the Colonel-in-Chief today
The Duke of Edinburgh stands ram-rod straight at Windsor Castle during a ceremony for the Colonel-in-Chief transfer today
Philip – who is a patron, president or a member of more than 780 organisations – has been officially retired since 2017, although he appeared on the balcony at the Cenotaph remembrance event in November that year.
But a palace spokesman said he had been asked by The Rifles if they could pay tribute to his service with a ceremonial event and, as he was at Windsor Castle, he was happy to facilitate it.
The Duke – who was also pictured after attending Princess Beatrice’s wedding last Friday – looked in good health and smiled for photographers before standing ram-rod straight and listening to what was said.
WO2 Senior Bugle Major Simon Topp later said it was a ‘great privilege’ to speak to the Duke and he was ‘on excellent form’. Meanwhile royal expert Phil Dampier said: ‘Great to see the Iron Duke in rude health.’
The Duke of Edinburgh smiles as he speaks to a bugler at Windsor Castle during the ceremony this afternoon
The ceremony at Windsor began today when four Buglers, of The Band and Bugles of The Rifles, stood to attention
Prince Philip smiles during the transfer of the Colonel-in-Chief of The Rifles at Windsor Castle in Berkshire this afternoon
The Buglers sounded The Rifles Regimental Call, followed by the ‘No More Parades’ call, during today’s ceremony at Windsor
The Duke of Edinburgh waves as he takes part in the transfer of the Colonel-in-Chief of The Rifles at Windsor Castle today
Royal expert Mr Dampier, who wrote a 2012 book on Philip, tweeted today: ‘After health problems last winter, Prince Philip seems back on top form. Onward to 100!’
Immediately afterwards at Highgrove, the arrival of Camilla was marked by four Buglers of The Band and Bugles of The Rifles sounding The Rifles Assembly.
The Duchess was addressed by The Rifles’ Colonel Commandant, General Sir Patrick Sanders, who welcomed her as the new Colonel-in-Chief.
The Buglers then sounded The Rifles Regimental Call and The Advance, following which Camilla met the Buglers and a small party from 4th Battalion The Rifles, before retiring for an audience with General Sanders.
Camilla, who was wearing a Rifles brooch to mark the occasion, wore a bespoke bottle-green dress with black trim, modelled on the Rifles’ uniform.
The buttons of the dress have bugles on them and are the same buttons as worn on the soldiers’ tunics.
July 22 is celebrated each year by The Rifles as their Regimental Day, which commemorates the Battle of Salamanca during the Peninsula War in 1812, at which all four forming regiments of The Rifles fought together and were victorious against the army of Napoleon.
The duchess has been Royal Colonel of 4th Battalion The Rifles since 2007 and will continue to hold the position.
She supported the battalion during the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts, writing to next of kin, sending letters to the injured, and meeting families – as well as the traditional medals parades.
Most recently, Camilla visited New Normandy Barracks in Aldershot in May last year to present service medals and meet members of the battalion and their families.
The duchess also has personal links to military organisations connected to her father, Major Bruce Shand, who was awarded two Military Crosses.
Two battalions of The Rifles today form part of the celebrated 7th Infantry Brigade, otherwise known as the Desert Rats, with whom Major Shand served, and the duchess is patron of The Desert Rats Association.
Speaking before the ceremony, General Sanders said: ‘We feel it’s a bittersweet day because we’re enormously proud of our association with the Duke of Edinburgh who has been the most amazing Colonel-in-Chief and we’ve really flourished under his tenure.
‘But it’s also really special to have the Duchess of Cornwall coming in because she has a long association with The Rifles.
The Duchess of Cornwall smiles as she becomes Colonel-in-Chief for the Rifles at Highgrove House this afternoon
Camilla smiles as she becomes Colonel-in-Chief for the Rifles at Highgrove House in Gloucestershire this afternoon
The Duchess of Cornwall at Highgrove House, during a ceremony for the transfer of the Colonel-in-Chief of the Rifles today
‘She has been absolutely inspiring and the support that she’s given and the way that she sustained that through some quite difficult and bloody tours.’
Philip was recently pictured with the Queen at Windsor to mark his 99th birthday on June 10, and at Princess Beatrice’s wedding last Friday.
He was last seen at a big event when he was a guest at Lady Gabriella Windsor’s wedding in May 2019. The ceremony this afternoon is Philip’s first engagement in more than a year.
In June 2019, he held an audience when he received General Sir Nicholas Carter who was relinquishing his appointment as Colonel Commandant of The Rifles.
JULY 17, 2020: The Duke of Edinburgh with the Queen after Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi’s wedding, standing socially distanced outside The Royal Chapel of All Saints at Royal Lodge in Windsor last Friday
JUNE 6, 2020: The Queen and Prince Philip pose in the quadrangle of Windsor Castle to mark Philip’s 99th birthday on June 10
MAY 18, 2019: The Duke of Edinburgh shares a joke with the Duke of Sussex as they leave following the wedding of Lady Gabriella Windsor and Thomas Kingston at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle last year
DECEMBER 24, 2019: Prince Philip leaves King Edward VII’s Hospital in London on Christmas Eve last year after having treatment relating to a ‘pre-existing condition’. His stay was described as a ‘precautionary measure’ by Buckingham Palace. Philip left hospital after four nights and travelled to Sandringham to spend Christmas with the Queen
MAY 11, 2019: Philip takes his seat in the royal box with the Queen for the Royal Windsor Horse Show’s pageant event last year
MAY 9, 2019: The Duke of Edinburgh is seen driving a carriage at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire last year
MAY 7, 2019: The duke makes a rare appearance at a royal engagement, joining the Queen and broadcaster Sir David Attenborough at a luncheon for Order of Merit members at Windsor Castle
On August 2, 2017, Philip carried out his final official engagement as he retired from public duties. Camilla was appointed Royal Colonel of 4th Battalion The Rifles in 2007 and will continue to hold this position.
Philip’s links to The Rifles stretches back to 1953 when he was appointed Colonel-in-Chief of The Wiltshire Regiment (Duke of Edinburgh’s).
He has served in the position for successive regiments which now make up The Rifles since, and has been Colonel-in-Chief of The Rifles since its formation in 2007.
Camilla was appointed Royal Colonel of 4th Battalion The Rifles in 2007.