Queen Camilla takes the salute as new colonel-in-chief of father’s old regiment
QUEEN Camilla sported a military-inspired outfit yesterday as she visited the Royal Lancers for the first time since being appointed their colonel-in-chief.
The North Yorkshire regiment carries a personal connection for Camilla, 76, because her late father Major Bruce Shand served with the 12th Lancers during the Second World War.
Shand, who died in 2006 aged 89, was awarded the Military Cross for his heroism in the conflict.
Camilla, who took on the appointment last June, wore a blue Fiona Clare dress modelled on the Lancers uniform with a red mandarin collar and a jaunty beret with the regimental brooch of the late Queen Elizabeth II, who was the previous colo
‘Gave a deeply personal speech’
nel-in-chief. Designer Ms Clare’s son is a captain in the Lancers and was present at yesterday’s event.
The Queen received the royal salute at Catterick Garrison near Richmond, before braving the rain to inspect some of the 152 soldiers on parade.
She also gave a deeply personal speech, recalling her father’s first impression of the regiment’s personnel as relaxed and friendly.
He later wrote of the senior noncommissioned officers that they ‘took my education in hand and tactfully but firmly directed my floundering steps. They were very competent nannies with a decidedly un-nanny like capacity for beer’.
Camilla left through a guard of honour and was given three cheers. She is understood to have been delighted to become colonel-in-chief because she is so proud of her family links.