PHILIP’S LAST SALUTE
Royal says farewell to Rifles as Camilla takes over as chief
PROUD Prince Philip came out of retirement yesterday after insisting he would meet soldiers in person in what could be his last military engagement.
The 99-year-old Duke of Edinburgh strode out of Windsor Castle to take part in the official handover of his position as Colonel-in-Chief of The Rifles to Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.
The Iron Duke stepped back from royal duties in 2017 and has been enjoying retirement after decades of supporting the Queen.
After more than 22,000 royal engagements including many thousands with his own charities and organisations, he had a twinkle in his eye yesterday and, true to form, cracked a joke about a soldier’s fitness.
Royal sources confirmed Philip has been involved in a number of in-house handovers since retiring, but after hearing the Rifles were keen to thank him in person he had said he would be delighted to attend.
The short ceremony, lasting just three minutes, was followed by an event at Highgrove House, Gloucestershire, where Camilla was officially welcomed to the regiment.
Philip has been Colonel-in-Chief of The Rifles since its formation in 2007.
But his connection stretches back decades further, as he has served as Colonelin-Chief of successive regiments which now make up The Rifles since 1953.
Wearing a blazer, regimental tie and highly polished brogues, the Duke gave a cheery wave to the small gathering as four buglers announced his arrival.
They later sounded the “No More Parades” call to mark his exit.
The Assistant Colonel Commandant, Major General Tom CopingerSymes, offered the salute and paid tribute to Philip.
He told him: “Your Royal Highness, Colonel-in-Chief... all Rifleman, serving or retired would like to thank you for 67 years of continuous service, support and leadership to the Rifles and our forming and antecedent regiments.
“And on this occasion, as you hand over your duties, to her Royal Highness, the Duchess of Cornwall, we would like to wish you fair wind and following seas.”
Afterwards he explained the “following seas” comment was in reference to the Duke’s distinguished naval service.
On Camilla, 73, taking over he added: “I know how much it means to her, too, to step up. We couldn’t be more fortunate – she has exactly the same qualities as the Duke to make people feel like they are the only one in the room.”
At Highgrove, Rifles’ Colonel Commandant General Sir Patrick Sanders welcomed Camilla to her role. Speaking before the ceremony, General Sanders said: “It’s a bittersweet day because we’re enormously proud of our association with the Duke of Edinburgh who has been the most amazing Colonel-in-Chief.
“But it’s also really special to have the Duchess of Cornwall coming in because she has a long association with The Rifles. He added her support had been “absolutely inspiring” particularly through “some quite difficult and bloody tours”. Royal sources said Camilla is a “fantastic and hugely popular choice” to take over and a “safe pair of hands” after the disaster of the last military appointment handover. In 2017, Harry was made the Captain General of the Royal Marines, succeeding
his grandfather, who had held the position for 64 years. But he was forced to step down this year following his bombshell decision to leave The Firm.
Philip was recently pictured with the Queen at Windsor to mark his 99th birthday in June, and at granddaughter Princess Beatrice’s wedding on Friday.
He was last seen at a big event when he was a guest at Lady Gabriella
Windsor’s wedding in May 2019. It came between major incidents last year – a car crash in January and a four-day hospital stay before Christmas.
He has been by the Queen’s side throughout the coronavirus crisis having been helicoptered out of Sandringham to stay at Windsor Castle with her.
They will travel to Balmoral next week to spend at least a month at the Scottish royal estate. The Rifles has battalions, including reserve units, currently deployed in Afghanistan, Estonia and Cyprus and in support of the UK’s Covid-19 response.
Following the ceremony LCpl Colin Streetin, 33, from Yeovil, shared a joke with the Duke after telling Philip he had been playing the bugle for a decade.
He said: “He asked me if that was all I did, the bugling, and I told him we were assault pioneers as well. He said, ‘obviously keeping up your fitness, then’ and looked me up and down. I was thinking, ‘Are you trying to say I am fat?’
“That’s what we were laughing about. He’s a very fit man himself for 99.”
LCpl Streetin added that he was sorry the Duke was leaving his role.
“Someone of his character, his charisma, you can’t go wrong,” he said.
“That’s what we like – we are all banter and that’s what he is.”
SHIPSHAPE In Navy in 1947