Queen gives Scots Guards new colours with Colonel Duke of Kent

Earlier today, The Queen gave the Scots Guards their new colours at Buckingham Palace, as their Colonel, The Duke of Kent looked on.

The Queen inspects the Scots Guards with their Colonel, The Duke of Kent (3R), at Buckingham Palace (Sgt Rupert Frere RLC / MoD Crown Copyright)

The rain – reminiscent of the Highlands – did not hinder the engagement; The Queen stood under a clear Fulton umbrella, trimmed with blue to match her outfit as she gave the new flag, featuring the battalions tours of duty – quite a change from the first garden party of the year on Tuesday.

FIRST GARDEN PARTY OF THE YEAR: THE QUEEN JOINED BY CAMBRIDGES AND BEATRICE

Her Majesty, the regiment’s Colonel-in-Chief, inspected the 1st Battalion Scots Guards and F Company Scots Guards on the lawns in front of the Bow Room, with her cousin Prince Edward at her side.

The Queen, Colonel-in-Chief of the Scots Guards, presented new Colours to the regiment. (Sgt Rupert Frere RLC / MoD Crown Copyright)

2,200 guests watched the ceremony, where the guards were awarded new colours, the first since 2002. The presentation of new Colours is a rare honour for all soldiers and officers involved.

Soldiers cheered for The Queen, taking off their bearskins and making a round motion with their hat, as is tradition, before a reception took place inside Buckingham Palace, where the Monarch spoke with the men, wearing her regimental badge.