At 87 years previous, and after greater than 50 years as colonel of the Scots Guards, the Duke of Kent, cousin of the late Queen Elizabeth II, has determined to retire and relaxation. This previous Sunday, April 14, was his final official engagement holding that title, when he attended Black Sunday of the Scots Guards, a date on which tribute is paid to the fallen members of the regiment and his households. It was additionally the occasion chosen to go the baton to who will probably be his successor: Prince Edward. The Duke of Edinburgh, simply turned 60, was appointed colonel of the Scots Guards the day earlier than, after being appointed by his brother, King Charles III, thus giving his youthful brother a new distinction.
Edward of England, who at the age of 22 renounced his navy profession inside months of starting it, proudly obtained the title and took the alternative to reward his “extraordinary” predecessor for his “formidable document and status” when he was awarded the honor. “The Duke of Kent has been a rare colonel of the Scots Guards. Aside from his deep data and deep understanding of the regiment and all who serve, previous and current, he has been a tireless and passionate advocate,” he mentioned. “It is a nice honor to be requested and entrusted by His Majesty to function the subsequent colonel. However, I settle for with a diploma of trepidation, as I’ll undoubtedly be measured in opposition to the formidable document and status of my predecessor. I can solely promise that I’ll do my finest,” he added.
This new place demonstrates the belief that the monarch is inserting in his discreet little brother, who has grow to be a elementary determine for the British royal household now that each Charles III and Kate Midleton have postponed their official commitments to take care of his well being, as Both are present process therapies in opposition to the most cancers they endure from.
British media akin to Daily Mail They declare that Ministry of Defense sources are assured that Eduardo is certified for this promotion, though different specialists contemplate this new appointment the outcome of the shrinking monarchy in the United Kingdom. They refer, above all, to the growing quantity of high-level positions that the Duke of Edinburgh is taking up since Prince Andrew was stripped of his navy titles and royal patronages in 2022 on account of his relationship with pedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
On Sunday, the Duke of Kent additionally joined a memorial service at the Guards Chapel at Wellington Barracks with members of the Scots Guards, earlier than taking the salute for the final time as colonel of the regiment at a parade of troopers. . “Serving as a colonel of the Scots Guards since 1974, the longest anybody has spent in this role, has been a true honor and can all the time fill me with nice pleasure,” he mentioned in his farewell. “Throughout these years, I’ve seen the work of the Scots Guards in occasions of peace and warfare,” he added in his assertion, shared on the British royal household’s Instagram account, together with a collection of historic pictures of its 5 a long time of service. He additionally didn’t neglect to dedicate a few phrases to his successor: “I’m delighted that His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh continues to defend the whole lot he does and work to protect his nice legacy.”
At 60 years previous, Prince Edward faces this new activity as head of the elite infantry regiment that in the previous has fought in battles akin to Waterloo. Until now, he had stayed away from navy patronage, after breaking the lengthy custom of the Windsors by leaving the Royal Marine Corps in 1987. The assertion issued by the royal home at the moment harassed that abandoning the aforementioned physique induced Eduardo “with nice remorse,” however that he had come to the conclusion that “he didn’t need the service of arms to be his long-term profession.” Since then, he linked his life to the performing arts: he labored as a theater manufacturing assistant at the Really Useful Theater Company and in addition participated in tv manufacturing. He later based his personal firm, Ardent Productions, till in 2002 he left it to commit himself full-time to his duties as an lively member of the British royal household.