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British Royals

Rare public appearance for the Duke of Edinburgh

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh

The Duke of Edinburgh was in good spirits as he carried out a rare engagement. Prince Philip handed over the role of Colonel-in-Chief of the Rifles in a short ceremony at Windsor Castle.

Philip, who turned 99 just over a month ago, is passing the position on to the Duchess of Cornwall. Camilla was welcomed as the new Colonel-in-Chief with a brief ceremony at her own home, Highgrove House, over 100 miles away from her father-in-law.

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Prince Philip was greeted by four buglers as he walked out of Windsor Castle on July 22nd 2020. They sounded The Rifles Assembly. He made his way down the steps uneassisted and was thanked by the Assistant Colonel Commandant, Major General Tom Copinger-Symes, for his support of the regiment over the almost seven decades he has been its Colonel-in-Chief. His tenure came to an end with the sounding of the ‘No More Parades’ call.

Soon afterwards, at Highgrove, the Duchess of Cornwall was greeted by a bugle call and officially welcomed as Colonel-in-Chief of the Rifles.

The Rifles is now the largest infantry regiment in the Army. The Duke of Edinburgh has been its Colonel-in-Chief since 2007 but he has been Colonel-in-Chief of the successive Regiments which now make up The Rifles since 1953.

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Prince Philip was seen at the wedding of his granddaughter, Princess Beatrice, on July 17th when he photographed on his way back from the ceremony at the Royal Chapel of All Saints at Windsor. He also appeared alongside the Queen in one of the official photos.

The Duke of Edinburgh spent four nights in hospital in December 2019 for treatment for what was described as a pre-existing condition. He left just in time for Christmas at Sandringham although he didn’t accompany the Royal Family to church for Christmas Day. Prince Philip and the Queen have been living in isolation at Windsor since the middle of March.

About author

Lydia Starbuck is Jubilee and Associate Editor at Royal Central and the main producer and presenter of the Royal Central Podcast and Royal Central Extra. Lydia is also a pen name of June Woolerton who is a journalist and writer with over twenty years experience in TV, radio, print and online. Her latest book, A History of British Royal Jubilees, is out now. Her new book, The Mysterious Death of Katherine Parr, will be published in March 2024. June is an award winning reporter, producer and editor. She's appeared on outlets including BBC 5 Live, BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Local Radio and has also helped set up a commercial radio station. June is also an accomplished writer with a wide range of material published online and in print. She is the author of two novels, published as e-books. She is also a marriage registrar and ceremony celebrant.