The transfer of Colonel-in-Chief of The Rifles from The Duke of Edinburgh to The Duchess of Cornwall

 

The Duke has been Colonel-in-Chief of successive Regiments that have made up The Rifles since 1953, and today, they are the largest infantry Regiment in the British Army.

 

 Photo: The Duke of Edinburgh inspects soldiers of the Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiment, one of the founding regiments of The Rifles, in 2000.



The Duke of Edinburgh’s arrival was marked by four Buglers, who are members of The Rifles’ military band. The Buglers sounded the Rifles Assembly call, which signals the arrival of a senior Rifleman, and the beginning of a Parade.

 

The Duke was thanked for his 67 years of service and support to the Regiment, before the Buglers sounded the ‘No More Parades’ call, marking HRH’s final ceremony as The Rifles’ Colonel-in-Chief.





 

At Highgrove House, The Duchess of Cornwall was greeted by a Bugle call, and was welcomed by the Regiment’s Colonel Commandant as The Rifles’ new Colonel-in-Chief.





 

The Duchess has close links with the Regiment, and has served as Royal Colonel of its fourth Battalion since 2007.