The Duke of Edinburgh has made a rare public appearance at Windsor Castle, almost three years since his retirement from official duties.
Philip, 99, attended a socially distanced ceremony at his Berkshire home, to hand over a key military role to his daughter-in-law Camilla.
For almost 70 years Philip has been closely associated with The Rifles and its earlier regiments, acting as Colonel-in-Chief of the infantry unit.
There was no manual passing of the torch, however, with the Duchess of Cornwall celebrating the occasion nearly 100 miles away at a separate ceremony at Highgrove House.
Four buglers from the Band and Bugles of The Rifles were standing to attention when the duke – who served as a Royal Navy officer during the Second World War – arrived on the steps of the Equerries’ Entrance.
Philip looked fit and well in wearing a green and red tie and a navy suit, as he chatted to members of regiment.
He stood ram-rod straight and listened as he was thanked for his 67 years of support by Assistant Colonel Commandant Major General Tom Copinger-Symes.
Immediately afterwards, at Prince Charles' Gloucestershire estate, Camilla was welcomed as the regiment’s new Colonel-in-Chief by Colonel Commandant, General Sir Patrick Sanders.
She was appointed Royal Colonel of 4th Battalion The Rifles in 2007 and will continue to hold this position.
The duke had been Colonel-in-Chief of regiment since its formation that same year, but his connection stretches back further.
He has served in the same role since 1953 with successive regiments which now make up The Rifles.
Speaking before the ceremony, General Sanders said: “We feel 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 and we’ve really flourished under his tenure.
“But it’s also really special to have the Duchess of Cornwall coming in because she has a long association with The Rifles.
“She has been absolutely inspiring and the support that she’s given and the way that she sustained that through some quite difficult and bloody tours.”
The ceremony was Philip’s first official engagement for more than a year.
He has attended private family events, including Princess Beatrice's wedding on Friday, and was pictured with the Queen at Windsor to mark his 99th birthday in June.
But the last time he was seen at a big event was at Lady Gabriella Windsor’s wedding in May 2019.
In June last year he held an audience when he received General Sir Nicholas Carter who was relinquishing his appointment as Colonel Commandant of The Rifles.
On August 2, 2017, he carried out his final official engagement as he retired from public duties.
