On July 22, the Duke of Edinburgh transferred his position of Colonel-In-Chief of The Rifles to Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall. The meaningful event was made all the more special by Prince Philip's attendance, seeing as he's retired and rarely spotted in public.
Philip and the Queen are in lockdown at Windsor Castle, so the Duke was honoured at his Windsor home, while Duchess Camilla received the new role in a separate ceremony at Highgrove House in Gloucestershire.
Pictures: Prince Philip's rare new public appearance in 2020
Prince Philip's appearance opened the dual ceremony's section at Windsor Castle. The 99-year-old flashed a big smile throughout the appearance.
At the ceremony, the Duke of Edinburgh was thanked for his astounding 67 years of service to The Rifles and its antecedent regiments. He spoke briefly with the regiment's Colonel Commandant and other representatives, with whom he shared smiles and a few laughs.
Duchess Camilla takes on Prince Philip's Colonel-In-Chief role
Following Philip's ceremony at Windsor Castle, Duchess Camilla's welcoming commenced at Highgrove House. The Duchess of Cornwall had served as the Royal Colonel of 4th Battalion The Rifles dating back to 2007. She'll keep that position with The Rifles in addition to now taking on Philip's former role as Colonel-In-Chief.
The short ceremony was Prince Philip's first public engagement since 2019, when he attended Lady Gabriella Windsor's royal wedding. He retired at the age of 96 in 2017, and since then has primarily been limited to attendance at Royal Family events such as weddings. He was also seen most recently at the private July 17 wedding ceremony of Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi.
Philip and the Queen, meanwhile, reportedly intend to relocate in early August from their lockdown home at Windsor Castle to their usual summer residence at Balmoral Castle.