Queen Camilla looked striking in red as she carried out her first duty in her new royal role that was previously stripped from disgraced Prince Andrew.
The Queen Consort visited Lille Barracks in Aldershot to present medals to members of the 1st Battalion the Grenadier Guards, known for wearing bearskin hats on ceremonial duties, in her role as Colonel of them
Camilla wore an eye-catching vibrant red dress and held her vintage Chanel handbag as she met troops and their families before she posed for a group photo with the battalion.
The senior royal presented medals to 10 soldiers, who had been hand-picked for their exceptional service while deployed in Iraq last year – as well as two loyal soldiers being honoured for length of service, at Lille Barracks in Aldershot, Hampshire.
On arrival, she was greeted by Major General James Bowder, Lieutenant Colonel Gerald Johnson, Major James Gatehouse and Warrant Officer Dean Bailey, before being briefed in private by Lt Col Johnson in the officers’ mess on the battalion’s recent deployments and plans for the next year.
She then spoke to around 30 officers at a small reception where Lt Col Johnson, the commanding officer, presented a champagne toast to celebrate her first visit.
She said: "Thank you very much, it has been a pleasure to be here. I look forward to seeing a lot more of you in the future."
Camilla then posed for a photo on the steps of the officers’ mess where she joked with Second Lieutenant Archie Deninson-Smith, 24, who helped recreate a famous photo taken with the late Duke of Edinburgh when he was colonel.
Later, in the sergeants’ mess, she presented a Long Service and Good Conduct Medal to Sergeant Scott Howcroft and a medal bar marking an additional 10 years service to Colour Sergeant Colin Fiddy’s existing Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.
She then presented operational service medals to 10 officers and soldiers to honour their efforts in Iraq as their proud families and loved ones watched on.
They explained how all troops in the battalion get the medal, but bosses hand-picked the 10 who would be given one by Camilla to mark their outstanding service when they were deployed in the country.
The battalion will be extensively involved in the King’s coronation as well as continuing with overseas deployments this year.
As well as being Colonel of the Grenadier Guards, Camilla is also Colonel of the Rifles, a role passed on to her from the late Prince Philip.
Last year, Prince Andrew was stripped of the ceremonial title of Colonel of the Grenadier Guards amid a sex scandal, which saw him pay millions to settle a civil case. It came after his mother the late Queen decided to remove all of his honorary military titles and patronages and he stopped using his HRH style.
However, last month details were released about June's Trooping the Colour event - the first birthday parade for King Charles - and it was revealed the Queen Consort would be taking over the royal role.
In addition to Camilla's military appointment, the Princess of Wales became Colonel of the Irish Guards, a role previously held by William, who took the Colonel of the Welsh Guards title from his the King.
Trooping the Colour has marked the monarch’s official birthday for over 260 years, and will follow Charles' coronation, which is due to be held on May 6.
The King and William will ride on horseback during the display, while other members of the royal family, including Kate and Camilla, will watch from carriages and the Buckingham Palace balcony.
Over 1,400 parading soldiers, 200 horses and 400 musicians take part in the display of military precision, horsemanship and fanfare.
The parade travels from Buckingham Palace down The Mall to Horse Guards Parade, and closes with a Royal Air Force fly-past.
