Duchess of Cornwall sports new regimental coat dress as she visits The Rifles

The Duchess of Cornwall wore her new regimental coat dress for the first time as she met soldiers from The Rifles today.

Camilla, who succeeded the Duke of Edinburgh as Colonel-in-Chief of the regiment last year, visited the 5th Battalion, which is based in Bulford, Wiltshire.

The battalion has recently returned from a seven-month operational tour to Estonia. 

Camilla, who became colonel-in-chief in July 2020 in what was to be the last public engagement undertaken by Prince Philip, wore a dress designed by Fiona Clare underneath the green Rifles coat dress with black bugle buttons and Rifles brooch.

The Duke of Edinburgh, who passed away on April 9, aged 99, had been closely associated with The Rifles and its earlier regiments for almost 70 years up until his retirement from public duties in 2017.

The Duchess of Cornwall wore her new regimental coat dress for the first time as she met soldiers from The Rifles today (pictured)

The Duchess of Cornwall meets Lieutenant Colonel Jim Hadfield MBE during her first visit to 5th Battalion

The Duchess of Cornwall meets Lieutenant Colonel Jim Hadfield MBE during her first visit to 5th Battalion

Camilla, who succeeded the Duke of Edinburgh as Colonel-in-Chief of the regiment last year (pictured), visited the 5th Battalion, which is based in Bulford, Wiltshire

Camilla, who succeeded the Duke of Edinburgh as Colonel-in-Chief of the regiment last year (pictured), visited the 5th Battalion, which is based in Bulford, Wiltshire 

Alongside her new forest green coat, Camilla’s blonde bob was styled in an impeccable blow-dry, and she sported a dash of blush for a healthy glow.

On arrival, Camilla met Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire Sarah Troughton and Lieutenant Colonel Jim Hadfield, commanding officer of the battalion.

She presented several soldiers with long service and good conduct medals and also oversaw the ceremony appointing a new regimental serjeant major.

Addressing the duchess, Lt Col Hadfield said: ‘It has been an extremely busy year for your 5th Battalion, with both preparation to deploy to Estonia, and the seven months deployed.

‘It is our first week back from our post-operational tour leave and it is a really fitting moment to publicly say thank you to everybody here and also those members of the battalion who are not here.

Camilla (pictured) became Colonel-in-Chief in July 2020 in what was to be the last public engagement undertaken by Prince Philip

Camilla (pictured) became Colonel-in-Chief in July 2020 in what was to be the last public engagement undertaken by Prince Philip

The Duchess of Cornwall meets Colour Sergeant Jerry Wiredu during her first visit to 5th Battalion The Rifles, following her new appointment as Colonel-in-Chief, at Bulford Station in Wiltshire

The Duchess of Cornwall meets Colour Sergeant Jerry Wiredu during her first visit to 5th Battalion The Rifles, following her new appointment as Colonel-in-Chief, at Bulford Station in Wiltshire

‘A huge thanks to you for visiting us and it means a huge amount for you to visit your regiment.’

In reply, Camilla said: ‘Can I say what a huge pleasure it is for me to come back to Bulford. 

‘I know it pretty well in my role as Royal Colonel of 4 Rifles and it is particularly nice to come back again and meet all of you for the first time and really to thank you for all you are doing on your wonderful tour of Estonia.

‘I know it was very challenging. I also wanted to particularly thank all your families, your partners, for keeping the home fires burning while you were away and doing such a fantastic job keeping the morale up.

‘I hope this will be first of many visits and how much I have enjoyed meeting you all and how proud I am now to be your Colonel-in-Chief. I hope to see you all again when more restrictions are lifted.’

Camilla (pictured) wore a dress designed by Fiona Clare underneath the green Rifles coat dress with black bugle buttons and Rifles brooch

Camilla (pictured) wore a dress designed by Fiona Clare underneath the green Rifles coat dress with black bugle buttons and Rifles brooch

The Duke of Edinburgh, who passed away on April 9, aged 99, had been closely associated with The Rifles and its earlier regiments for almost 70 years up until his retirement from public duties in 2017. Pictured, Camilla today

The Duke of Edinburgh, who passed away on April 9, aged 99, had been closely associated with The Rifles and its earlier regiments for almost 70 years up until his retirement from public duties in 2017. Pictured, Camilla today

Among the soldiers the duchess met was Colour Serjeant Jerry Wiredu, who was in the Quadrangle at Windsor Castle for Philip’s funeral.

Sjt Wiredu, who was born in Ghana, joined the Army 13 years ago and was selected to take part due to the duke being a former Colonel-in-Chief of the regiment.

‘It was the greatest honour to be part of it because he was our Colonel-in-Chief of our regiment and he had handed over duties,’ he said. ‘It was one of the last he handed over and it was the last public engagement he did.

‘To be in the group of the “special relationship” which he handpicked on such an occasion was heartwarming. I was in the Quadrangle with the Royal Navy, the Royal Air Force and the Army. The Army was made up of units that he handpicked to be there.’

Sjt Wiredu said he had recently returned from Estonia when he discovered he would be representing the battalion.

Alongside her new forest green coat, Camilla's blonde bob was styled in an impeccable blow-dry, and she sported a dash of blush for a healthy glow (pictured)

Alongside her new forest green coat, Camilla’s blonde bob was styled in an impeccable blow-dry, and she sported a dash of blush for a healthy glow (pictured)

‘I am from Ghana and I am a citizen of the Commonwealth, and have watched him over the years and seen his contribution to the Commonwealth and the Duke of Edinburgh Award, of which there are many beneficiaries in Ghana,’ he said.

‘I was awestruck to be there to represent the regiment and Ghana and the Commonwealth.’

In July 2020, amid extreme social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic, Camilla and Prince Philip took part in separate ceremonies hundreds of miles from one another.  

The Duke was Colonel-in-Chief of The Rifles from its formation in 2007 but his connection stretched back further, because he had served as Colonel-in-Chief of successive Regiments which now make up The Rifles since 1953.

Camilla was appointed Royal Colonel of 4th Battalion The Rifles in 2007 and continues to hold that position.

She supported the battalion during the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts, writing to next of kin, sending letters to the injured, and meeting families – as well as the traditional medals parades.

The Rifles were formed in February 2007, following the merger of four celebrated infantry Regiments – The Devonshire and Dorset Light Infantry; The Light Infantry; The Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Light Infantry; and The Royal Green Jackets.

Forged during the campaigns of Iraq and Afghanistan, they are now the largest infantry regiment in the British Army. Their motto is: ‘Swift and Bold.’