By Mark Duell for MailOnline
The Duke of Edinburgh briefly came out of retirement today to take part in a rare official public engagement as he transfered his role as Colonel-in-Chief of The Rifles to the Duchess of Cornwall.
But Philip, who has been rarely seen in public since he retired in 2017, was nearly 100 miles apart from his daughter-in-law Camilla, as they both carried out ceremonies to mark the historic occasion.
Amid extreme social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic, the Queen’s consort Philip, 99, was at Windsor Castle in Berkshire, while the duchess was at her Gloucestershire home of Highgrove House.
At Windsor Castle, four buglers from the Band and Bugles of The Rifles were standing to attention when the duke – who served as a Royal Navy officer during the Second World War – arrived on the steps of the Equerries’ Entrance.
Philip was then thanked for his 67 years of support for The Rifles, and their forming and antecedent regiments, by Assistant Colonel Commandant, Major General Tom Copinger-Symes.
The Duke of Edinburgh waves today as he arrives for the transfer of the Colonel-in-Chief of The Rifles at Windsor Castle
Prince Philip smiles during the transfer of the Colonel-in-Chief of The Rifles at Windsor Castle this afternoon
The Duke today takes part in a rare official public engagement in Windsor as he transfers his Colonel-in-Chief role
Philip, pictured today, has served as Colonel-in-Chief of successive Regiments which now make up The Rifles since 1953
The Buglers then sounded The Rifles Regimental Call, followed by the ‘No More Parades’ call, to mark the Duke’s final ceremony as Colonel-in-Chief.
Royal expert Phil Dampier, who wrote a 2012 book on Philip, tweeted today: ‘After health problems last winter, Prince Philip seems back on top form. Onward to 100!’ He added: ‘Great to see the Iron Duke in rude health.’
Immediately afterwards at Highgrove, the arrival of Camilla was marked by four Buglers of The Band and Bugles of The Rifles sounding The Rifles Assembly.
The Duchess was addressed by The Rifles’ Colonel Commandant, General Sir Patrick Sanders, who welcomed her as the new Colonel-in-Chief.
The ceremony at Windsor began today when four Buglers, of The Band and Bugles of The Rifles, stood to attention
Prince Philip smiles during the transfer of the Colonel-in-Chief of The Rifles at Windsor Castle in Berkshire this afternoon
The Buglers sounded The Rifles Regimental Call, followed by the ‘No More Parades’ call, during today’s ceremony at Windsor
The Duke of Edinburgh waves as he takes part in the transfer of the Colonel-in-Chief of The Rifles at Windsor Castle today
The Buglers then sounded The Rifles Regimental Call and The Advance, following which Camilla met the Buglers and a small party from 4th Battalion The Rifles, before retiring for an audience with General Sanders.
Philip was recently pictured with the Queen at Windsor to mark his 99th birthday on June 10, and at Princess Beatrice’s wedding last Friday.
He was last seen at a big event when he was a guest at Lady Gabriella Windsor’s wedding in May 2019. The ceremony this afternoon is Philip’s first engagement in more than a year.
In June 2019, he held an audience when he received General Sir Nicholas Carter who was relinquishing his appointment as Colonel Commandant of The Rifles.
JULY 17, 2020: The Duke of Edinburgh with the Queen after Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi’s wedding, standing socially distanced outside The Royal Chapel of All Saints at Royal Lodge in Windsor last Friday
JUNE 6, 2020: The Queen and Prince Philip pose in the quadrangle of Windsor Castle to mark Philip’s 99th birthday on June 10
MAY 18, 2019: The Duke of Edinburgh shares a joke with the Duke of Sussex as they leave following the wedding of Lady Gabriella Windsor and Thomas Kingston at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle last year
DECEMBER 24, 2019: Prince Philip leaves King Edward VII’s Hospital in London on Christmas Eve last year after having treatment relating to a ‘pre-existing condition’. His stay was described as a ‘precautionary measure’ by Buckingham Palace. Philip left hospital after four nights and travelled to Sandringham to spend Christmas with the Queen
MAY 11, 2019: Philip takes his seat in the royal box with the Queen for the Royal Windsor Horse Show’s pageant event last year
MAY 9, 2019: The Duke of Edinburgh is seen driving a carriage at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire last year
MAY 7, 2019: The duke makes a rare appearance at a royal engagement, joining the Queen and broadcaster Sir David Attenborough at a luncheon for Order of Merit members at Windsor Castle
On August 2, 2017, he carried out his final official engagement as he retired from public duties. Camilla was appointed Royal Colonel of 4th Battalion The Rifles in 2007 and will continue to hold this position.
Philip’s links to The Rifles stretches back to 1953 when he was appointed Colonel-in-Chief of The Wiltshire Regiment (Duke of Edinburgh’s).
He has served in the position for successive regiments which now make up The Rifles since, and has been Colonel-in-Chief of The Rifles since its formation in 2007.
Camilla was appointed Royal Colonel of 4th Battalion The Rifles in 2007.