Western Daily Press (Saturday)
Magnificent Rifles given royal salute
THE Queen has praised The Rifles, one of the British Army’s key infantry regiments, for showcasing their skills “magnificently” in recent years – including at the King’s coronation.
Camilla, who is Colonel-in-Chief of The Rifles, was guest of honour at the regiment’s biennial awards dinner at the Guildhall in the City of London along with the unit’s Royal Colonels, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.
Speaking about the intervening period since she attended the event in 2021, the Queen told the assembled officers and Riflemen: “The last two years have showcased The Rifles magnificently.
“From the familiar challenges we, as a regiment, so readily succeed at, through to the rare duty of gliding down the marching gears at the coronation with such panache.”
In the magnificent setting of the Guildhall, she added: “Much has happened since we last gathered here at the Guildhall - from a full-scale invasion, the largest seen in Europe since the Second World War, through to the first coronation in 70 years.
“I note with pride that Riflemen have boldly remained in the vanguard, doubling towards each of these challenges.”
The Queen has personal links to The Rifles through her late father, Major Bruce Shand, whom she said would
have wanted her to “commend your loved ones, who make your work possible and keep the home fires burning”.
Two battalions of The Rifles form part of the celebrated 7th Infantry Brigade, otherwise known as the Desert Rats, with whom Major Shand served.
Camilla got a warm response from her audience when she said about the King’s coronation: “I must say, to see 4,000 soldiers, sailors and airmen on parade was quite extraordinary, with the three cheers in the garden of Buckingham Palace quite unforgettable.
“My thanks goes out to 1 Rifles and the Band and Bugles of The Rifles for representing the regiment with such pride and distinction. The dashing green tunics were a welcome contrast to all the redcoats, lace and frills.”
The Rifles have a major presence in the West with barracks at Bulford in Wiltshire and at Beachley on the English and Welsh border near Chepstow.