Queen Camilla donned a striking military outfit as she made a royal first in North Yorkshire earlier today. Camilla, 76, appeared in high spirits as she visited The Royal Lancers for the first time since being appointed as their Colonel-in-Chief last June.
Her visit to Munster Barracks at Catterick Garrison was full of personal reflection for the Queen, as her late father Major Bruce Shand MC and Bar served with the 12th Lancers during World War Two.
Even her outfit paid tribute to the Regiment, as she wore a blue dress by designer Fiona Clare, whose son is a Captain in the Lancers, modelled on the Lancers’ uniform with a chainmail collar and Lancers brooch belonging to the late Queen.
Camilla was received by a Royal Salute before she braved the rain to inspect some of the 152 Lancers on parade and returned to give a short speech to the Lancers and their families.
The Queen said her late war hero father would be “so pleased” that she had become Colonel-in-Chief of the Regiment he served with during World World Two.
Recalling her father’s first impression of the Regiment as relaxed and friendly, the Queen said that 87 years later she was pleased the atmosphere was unchanged, and quipped: “Although I shan’t ask about the NCOs capacity for beer!”
She said: “The Lancers have always struck me for their family spirit, whose comfort and support I experienced as a daughter of the Regiment, and I’m delighted to see so many families and members of the Old Comrades Association here today. Particularly now, as so many of your loved ones look to deploy overseas.”
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Concluding her speech, the Queen said: “I wish you all Godspeed over the coming months, the greatest of good fortune and a very safe return.”
Captain Al Aldridge, whose mother Fiona Clare designed the Queen’s dress she wore today, said Camilla’s speech was “hugely poignant”.
He said: “She referenced her father and I think that shows that her connection to the Regiment is that much stronger. It solidifies us as being a family regiment.”
Captain Aldrige went on to say he was “incredibly proud” of his mother for designing her dress and explained that the buttons on her dress are regimental buttons and the scarlet piping was a nod to the Regiment’s colours.
The Regiment then conducted a march past, accompanied by several past and present armoured vehicles, including the Humber and Dingo from the Second World War that her father would have commanded.
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Camilla was handed a posy of flowers by Edie Pritchard, five, whose six-year-old brother Kit bowed and said: “A pleasure to meet you, Your Majesty.”
But the young girl, who jumped on the spot when the Queen started to speak to her, quickly became overwhelmed and took refuge behind her mother, Georgie Pritchard, who continued to chat with the Queen about the weather.
Mrs Pritchard, whose husband is Major Tom Pritchard the officer commander of B Squadron, said: “She’s been so excited for a week she was at home practising her curtises.
“I only told her today that she would be handing the flowers over to her as I thought it would be too much for her. “She was absolutely thrilled, it’s the dream of every girl to meet the Queen.”
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Camilla spent time chatting with serving members and their families, using the typically British conversation starter of the weather as a conversation starter.
Emma Wilson, whose husband is with the regiment, said she felt immediately put at ease when the Queen started to chatting about the weather.
She recalled: “She came from Scotland and said it was worse weather up there. After the parade, the Queen awarded five medals before moving to the Officers’ Mess where she was shown a tunic belonging to her father, which is to be put on public display at the Regimental Museum in Derby after its purchase at auction by the regiment.
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Camilla also viewed a letter her father had written to the father of one of his troop sergeants, who had been awarded a medal for bravery.
The Queen was presented with a silver trophy of a Lancer on horseback by Colonel Richard Charrington. He said he hoped she would be able to find a place for it, to which Camilla responded: “I certainly shall, it’s absolutely marvellous.”
She continued: “For many many years I have been hankering to have the role.I know wherever my father is, he’d be so pleased I’ve got this role.”
After signing the visitors book, Camilla left though a guard of honour and a spectacular street-lining procession where a loud three cheers marked her departure.
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