Queen Camilla visits her father’s old regiment as Colonel for first time

The Queen has made her visit to the Royal Lancers since becoming their Colonel-in-Chief and it proved to be a poignant meeting.

For the regiment is the one to which her later father, Major Bruce Shand, belonged and Her Majesty found several reminders of her beloved dad during her visit.

Queen Camilla was shown one of Major Shand’s tunics as she toured barracks at Catterick in North Yorkshire and also saw a letter that he signed.

Major Shand served with the 12th Lancers during World War Two and won the Military Cross. He was later captured at El Alamein and spent over two years as a prisoner-of-war.

The Queen also inspected the parade and took the salute during her visit. her Majesty also presented five Buchan medals, awarded by the regiment to serving or retired members who have contributed to the efficiency or military honour of the troops. She went on to meet members of the Old Comrades’ Association.

During a speech to the regiment, Her Majesty said ”The Lancers have always struck me for their family spirit, whose comfort and support I experienced as a daughter of the Regiment, and I’m delighted to see so many families and members of the Old Comrades Association here today.”

Contemplating upcoming operations, The Queen said ”I know you have been particularly busy, as you prepare for imminent operational tours to Poland, Kosovo, and Cyprus, and I am glad that today serves as an opportunity to bring you all together. My father described the Regiment as a “highly efficient entity, highly skilled, and full of personalities”, I have no doubt that your upcoming deployments will be characteristically successful and will only add to our Regiment’s rich history.”

And Her Majesty ended by saying ”As you look towards a deployment of challenge and complexity, I know this fierce Lancers camaraderie will be replicated as you strive to make our world a safer place. I wish you all Godspeed over the coming months, the greatest of good fortune and a very safe return.”

Queen Camilla became Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Lancers in June 2023. The previous Colonel-in-Chief was Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.