Queen Camilla has taken on a new military role and revealed that it’s one her father, Major Bruce Shand, always hoped would come her way.
Her Majesty has been announced as the new Colonel-in-Chief of the Lancers, her father’s old regiment. And as she welcomed veterans to Clarence House to mark her appointment, she said ”I think it was always my father’s great hope….he just longed for me to be associated with his regiment. And here I am!”
The Queen was speaking to Lieutenant Michael de Burgh, a World War Two veteran, as she shared her family story. Lieutenant de Burgh was also marking his 100th birthday and cut a cake with Queen Camilla to celebrate. He also shared his memories of Major Shand with Her Majesty, saying ”he was wonderful.’‘
Queen Camilla follows Queen Elizabeth II as Colonel-in-Chief of the Lancers. Her Late Majesty was originally Colonel-in-Chief of the 16th/5th Lancers and was appointed to that role in 1947 by her father, King George VI. Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother was Colonel-in-Chief of the 9th/12th Lancers. After several amalgamations, the Royal Lancers were formed in 2015. In 2017, Her Late Majesty bestowed the title of Queen Elizabeths’ Own on the Royal Lancers to recognise the long standing involvement that both she and her mother had with the regiment.
Major Bruce Shand served with the 12th Lancers in World War Two. He won the Military Cross twice during his service, firstly in 1940 during the retreat to Dunkirk and secondly in 1942 at El Alamein. Major Shand ended up as a prisoner of war and was held captive form 1942 until 1945.
As Queen Camilla took over as Colonel-in-Chief, she said she was honoured and delighted. Lieutenant de Burgh had another special title for The Queen as she began on her new role, dubbing her the ”mother of the regiment.”
