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Prince & Princess of Wales

The Princess of Wales makes history as she is appointed a Colonel by The King

The Princess of Wales has been appointed as a Regimental Colonel for the first time.

Her Royal Highness becomes Colonel of the Irish Guards, taking over from her husband. The Prince of Wales is now Regimental Colonel of the Welsh Guards.

The Monarch is always Colonel-in-Chief of the Irish Guards. The role is now held by King Charles III.

Her Royal Highness has a long association with the regiment and has presented shamrocks to the Guards on St. Patrick’s Day for several years.

The announcement came as details of the first Trooping the Colour of the reign of King Charles III were revealed. The Sovereign’s Birthday Parade will take place on June 17th 2022, just weeks after His Majesty is crowned at Westminster Abbey.

King Charles will take the salute as Sovereign for the first time. His Majesty previously took the salute on behalf of Queen Elizabeth II.

Following Trooping, at Horse Guards Parade, the Royal Family will return along the Mall to Buckingham Palace for a balcony appearance and a flypast by the RAF.

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.