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Prince Philip

The Duke of Edinburgh undertakes a rare engagement at Sandringham whilst The Queen enjoys Ascot

The Duke of Edinburgh may be missing from Royal Ascot this year, but he is being kept busy elsewhere as the 98-year-old Prince conducts a rare engagement in Norfolk.

Prince Philip, who retired from public duties in 2017, conducted the engagement at Wood Farm on the Sandringham Estate where he received two military personnel in audience.

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The Duke received General Sir Nicholas Carter at Sandringham as he relinquishes the role of Colonel Commandant of the Rifles Regiment.

The Duke of Edinburgh is Colonel-in-Chief of The Rifles since 2006, taking over from his wife The Queen who was Colonel-in-Chief of The Royal Green Jackets, as they were then known.

Prince Philip also received General Patrick Sanders at Sandringham on Friday. General Sanders will replace Sir Nicholas Carter as Colonel Commandant.

Sir Nicholas had held the role of Colonel Commandant since 2013 when he took over from Sir Nick Parker.

He has held various other high ranking military posts in his career, including Chief of the Defence Staff, a position he still holds.

General Sanders was promoted to full general earlier this year and was also appointed to the Joint Forces Command.

Meanwhile, while the Duke is conducting his first engagement as a 98-year-old, The Queen is enjoying some well-deserved time away from royal duties as she attends Royal Ascot.

The 93-year-old monarch wore a neon raspberry pink outfit alongside her Jardine Star diamond brooch to the racecourse today.

She was joined by members of her family including the Duke & Duchess of York, Peter Phillips and Lady Helen Taylor.