The Biennial Rifles Awards recognise the achievements of serving soldiers, reservists and veterans

Queen Camilla wore a Fiona Clare red velvet evening dress to attend the Biennial Rifles Awards Dinner in the City of London this evening, joining the Duchess of Edinburgh and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester to celebrate excellence across the regiment.

The Queen, who serves as Colonel-in-Chief of The Rifles and Royal Colonel of the 4th Battalion The Ranger Regiment, arrived at the Guildhall to a bugle fanfare before being welcomed by Alderman Vincent Keaveny, the Lord Mayor Locum Tenens of the City of London.

 

She was also greeted by Lieutenant General Sir Tom Copinger Symes, Colonel Commandant of The Rifles, and Lieutenant Colonel Charlie Bairsto, Commanding Officer of the 4th Battalion The Ranger Regiment.

Inside the Guildhall, the Queen was joined by Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester, Royal Colonel of the 6th Battalion The Rifles, Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester, Royal Colonel of the 7th Battalion, and Sophie, Royal Colonel of the 5th Battalion.

Together, they met Riflemen, Rangers, veterans and invited guests during a reception held before the awards dinner.

The Biennial Rifles Awards recognise the achievements of serving soldiers, reservists and veterans from across the regiment.

The gathering in the historic Great Hall brought together personnel from all seven battalions, members of the wider Rifles family, and supporters of the regiment’s work in the UK and abroad.

Following short addresses from the Lord Mayor Locum Tenens and the Colonel Commandant, the Queen offered a few words at the beginning of the dinner, paying tribute to the professionalism and dedication of the regiment.

Duchess of Edinburgh and Queen Camilla

Duchess of Edinburgh and Queen Camilla join forces for dinner at London Guildhall | REUTERS

Queen Camilla

Queen Camilla, Colonel-in-Chief the Rifles, during the biennial Rifles Awards Dinner at the Guildhall in the City of London | PA

Queen Camilla’s association with The Rifles has deepened in recent years.

The late Prince Philip had served as Colonel-in-Chief until July 2020, when the role was formally transferred to Camilla.

She later became the first Patron of The Rifleman’s Association, which supports serving personnel, veterans and their families.

In 2021, she also became Royal Colonel of the newly designated 4th Battalion The Ranger Regiment, previously known as the 4th Battalion The Rifles.

Duchess of Edinburgh

Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh looked beautiful in navy blue | REUTERS

Queen Camilla

Queen Camilla looked beautiful in a Fiona Clare red velvet evening dress| REUTERS

Birgitte and Sophie, as well as Richard, each hold longstanding regimental roles and have maintained close ties with their respective battalions.

Their presence at tonight’s engagement underlined the Royal Family’s continued support for the regiment and its traditions.

The dinner concluded a significant evening for The Rifles, marking another chapter in its enduring relationship with the Royal Family.

The Royal Family have stepped out in force today; Princess Kate visited the Anna Freud Centre, where she cooed over toddlers.

Duke and Duchess of Gloucester

The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester pictured arriving at the Guildhall | REUTERS

The Princess of Wales was meeting parents, helping to shape a training curriculum for health visitors.

Meanwhile, Princess Anne chatted with veterans and their families during a Christmas Tea Party she hosted in their honour.

The Princess Royal smiled and laughed as she spoke with the ex-servicemen and women who attended the event at St James’s Palace on Thursday.

Finally, the Duchess of Edinburgh visited the Wellbeing of Women lab at the University College London Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Institute for Women’s Health (UCL EGA IfWH) in central London.