The Duke of Kent, 88, is attending his last event as colonel of the Scots Guards before the failed naval Prince Edward takes on the role – and says it has been a “true honour, which will forever fill me with great joy”
The Duke of Kent has taken part in the Scots Guard’s Black Sunday today, marking his last official engagement as Colonel of the Scots Guard.
The late Queen’s cousin, 88, was pictured at the memorial event in London after it was announced he would step down in favor of King Charles’ brother Prince Edward.
The Duke of Edinburgh, 60 – who famously left the Royal Marines after just four months – will today be named the new colonel after being chosen by the King.
Speaking ahead of the ceremony in the Guards Chapel at Wellington Barracks this morning, the Duke of Kent – who served as a colonel for 50 years – said the role had been ‘a real honour’.
He said: ‘Serving as Colonel of the Scots Guards since 1974, the longest anyone has spent in this role, has been a real honor and one that will forever fill me with great joy.
The Duke of Kent attended the Scots Guards Black Sunday ceremony in London today
The late Queen’s cousin, 88, attended the memorial event – which marked his last official engagement as a colonel of the Scots Guards (Pictured: The Duke salutes a King’s Guard)
“Through these years I have seen the work of the Scots Guards in peacetime and war,” added his statement, which was shared on the royal family’s Instagram account today.
The post featured several images showing the royal’s time in his role – including a photo of the prince with his late cousin Queen Elizabeth II.
For today’s ceremony, he donned a navy blue suit, a striped red and blue tie and a blue checkered shirt.
He teamed the outfit with a pair of black leather loafers while sporting a series of medals representing 50 years of service for his blazer.
With a walking stick in his right hand, he appeared in high spirits as he went to greet a king’s guard.
The Duke – who also goes by Prince Edward – paid tribute to the ‘bravery, selfless courage and devotion to duty’ of the Scots Guards before resigning his post.
He added: ‘To my fellow Scots Guards, I am immensely proud to have served you all. I am delighted that His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh will continue to champion all that you do and work to preserve your great legacy.
The Duke of Edinburgh will now be at the head of the elite infantry regiment that fought at the Battle of Waterloo.
The Duke of Kent is pictured with Queen Elizabeth II before her death
The duke has stepped down in favor of King Charles’ brother, Prince Edward
The Duke of Edinburgh, 60 – who famously left the Royal Marines after just four months – will today be named the new colonel after being chosen by the King (Pictured: Prince Edward ahead of the Service of Dedication for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship , RFA Stirling Castle, in Leith on Thursday)
The Duke of Kent – who served as a colonel for 50 years – said the role had been ‘a real honour’
Speaking on the new appointment, he said it was a “pronounced honour” while also praising the former colonel for “extraordinary” service.
He said: ‘The Duke of Kent has been an extraordinary Colonel for the Scots Guards. Quite apart from his depth of knowledge and thorough understanding of the Regiment and all those who serve, past and present, he has been a tireless and passionate advocate.
‘It is a distinct honor to be asked and entrusted by His Majesty to serve as the next Colonel. However, I accept with some trepidation as I will no doubt be measured against the formidable record and reputation of my predecessor. I can only promise to do my best’.
For years, the prince was kept away from military patronage after leaving his Royal Marines training course in 1987.
The Queen was reportedly upset when he swapped military service for performing arts.
Although defense sources say Edward is qualified for this promotion, some observers believe it is a result of the increasingly slim monarchy.
He was given a number of medals representing 50 years of service to his blazer
With a walking stick in his right hand, the duke appeared to be in high spirits
For the ceremony, he wore a navy blue suit, a striped red and blue tie and a blue checkered shirt
Edward attended the Scots Guards Black Sunday at the Guards Chapel in Wellington Barracks, London
He has taken on an increasing number of senior roles, particularly after Prince Andrew was stripped of his military titles in 2022.
The Scots Guards Black Sunday is the regiment’s annual day of remembrance for its fallen soldiers and their families.
The Scots Guards is one of five prestigious regiments of foot guards within the Household Division of the British Army – along with the Irish, Welsh, Grenadier and Coldstream Guards – which perform ceremonial duties such as attending major state events in support of the monarch.
Guardsmen are also fighting soldiers who, when not guarding the King or participating in Trooping the Color, are deployed on operations or training around the world.
Since the Scots Guard’s formation in 1642, the regiment has played key roles in major conflicts around the world from the Battle of Waterloo in 1815, both world wars, the Falklands War and undertaken deployments to Northern Ireland, Afghanistan and Iraq.
The Duke of Kent is pictured watching the march past outside the Royal Military Chapel (The Guards’ Chapel) in Westminster, London
Here, Edward is seen taking part in the Scots Guards Black Sunday Parade, flanked by the chaplain of the chapel and other officials
The Duke was first appointed Colonel of the Scots Guards in 1974, the longest tenure anyone has held in the role
A young boy in replica uniform joins members of the Scots Guards as they gather ahead of the Black Sunday Parade, at the chapel at the Guards Museum at Wellington Barracks
The Duke of Kent is the son of Prince George, Duke of Kent, and Princess Marina of Greece and Denmark. He is also the first cousin of the late Queen Elizabeth II (pictured in Melbourne, Australia in 2012)
The Duke served in the armed forces for more than 21 years, starting his career as a second lieutenant in the Royal Scots Grays and retiring in 1976 as a lieutenant colonel.
In 1993 he was promoted to Field Marshal – the highest rank in the British Army.
Today he joined a memorial service at the Guards Chapel at Wellington Barracks with members of the Scots Guards before taking the final salute as colonel of the regiment at a Scots Guards parade.
The Duke of Kent is the son of Prince George, Duke of Kent, and Princess Marina of Greece and Denmark. He is also the first cousin of the late Queen Elizabeth II.
The Duke’s mother was also a first cousin of the late Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, making him both a second cousin and cousin once removed to King Charles.