The Duchess of Cornwall has carried out her first full engagement as Colonel-in-Chief of The Rifles since taking over the role from Prince Philip earlier this year.
Camilla, wearing a Rifles-green coat dress with a bugle broach, was greeted with a special fanfare on her arrival at Beachley Barracks, near Chepstow, on Monday.
The Duchess, who received a private briefing by the Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Mark Shercliff, said: “It’s my first time here and I am very much looking forward to it.”
As the Duchess arrived, eight buglers played a specially-composed fanfare called “The Duchess” to commemorate her becoming the Colonel-in-Chief of the regiment.
Corporal Edward MacIntyre, 30, who composed the piece, said he decided to write it when he heard Camilla was taking over from Prince Philip. The Duchess said she was honoured by the tribute.
Camilla, whose WWII hero father Major Bruce Shand MC & Bar DL served the 12th Lancers, then chatted with Riflemen who recently completed their initial training course in Catterick.
The soldiers are now undertaking further training at The Rifles Training Team, based with 1 RIFLES at the barracks, before they join their Battalions.
During the visit on Monday, the Duchess will be shown some of the equipment that they have been using during their training.
She will also present, in a socially distanced manner, The Rifles Coin to the best overall Rifleman from the training course.
Camilla was also set to join a small reception where she will meet Riflemen and their families. Among them were Riflemen who have been deployed to support the Welsh NHS and many communities during the pandemic.
Following the reception, The Commanding Officer will say a few words before HRH departs.
The Duchess took over the position from The Duke of Edinburgh on the July 22 this year. There was a short ceremony at Windsor Castle and Highgrove House to mark the occasion.
The Duke of Edinburgh was Colonel-in-Chief since its formation in 2007 and was connected to successive Regiments, which now make up The Rifles, since 1953.
The Duchess is also Royal Colonel of The 4th Battalion of The Rifles having taken up the position in 2007.
Over the past few months The 1st Battalion, The Rifles (1 RIFLES) has been deployed throughout Wales supporting the fight against coronavirus.
The assistance the battalion has provided to the civil authorities has included the installation of hospital beds at the Dragon’s Heart Hospital in Cardiff, the deployment of ambulance drivers to support the Welsh Ambulance Service Trust (WAST) and the deployment of Covid testing teams throughout Wales.
