In looking at some photos of the Queen Mother's funeral, I was reminded that the Princess Royal has appeared in what looks like a naval uniform at some official occasions since ?? the late 90's ??.
1. Does anyone know for sure when this was and the reason behind it.
2. Did she stand vigil for the Queen Mother? There is a photo of Charles, Andrew, and Edward, but I couldn't make out who was in the 4th corner.
3. Has she riden in the Trooping the Color?
4. While I have seen photos of the uniform with pants, has she also worn the uniform with a skirt?
5. While in the photo I saw (the photo that got this whole line of questioning going) she was wearing a modern uniform hat, I recall seeing a photo of her wearing a hat that would look good on Lord Nelson, one of those old fashioned front to back hats. Does anyone have a pic of that.
6. What is her husband's current naval rank?
Hope his helps....
1 - The uniform IS naval uniform, as HRH is The Chief Commandant for Women in the Royal Navy and has the rank of a Rear Admiral. Prior to the early 90s, women were treated differently in HM Armed Forces.... and HRH wore a slightly different uniform with blue armbands denoting her rank....but since the beacon of light was shed onto the Senior Service (in commonwith the RAF and The Army) and women were finally treated as equals etc, HRH has worn the uniform of a Rear Admiral.
2 - as stated before, no HRH did not stand vigil at the catafalque of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother.... the fourth person was David, Viscount Linley - the only son of Her Late Royal Highness The Princess Margaret.... and of course he was a grandson of QETQM. Of course Princess Anne did break with tradition at walking behind the coffin with the other Royal males.... usually a male only role, and Royal ladies usually would attend and follow in cars and carriages etc. heavily draped in black mourning.
Recently HRH has also attended the Remembrance Parade at the Cenotaph each November.... in uniform as Rear Admiral (wearing trousers)..... she used to attend and watch her mother lay the customary wreath from the Royal box. Im pleased to say that again - she has broken tradition and lays a wreath herself - standing beside the other Royal officers. And why not?
3 - Yes - as Colonel in Chief of the Blues & Royals and as Gold Stick in Waiting to Her Majesty The Queen.
4 - NO
5 - As above
The Gold Stick is a bodyguard position in the Royal Household acting as a personal attendant upon the Sovereign on ceremonial occasions. Now just ceremonial, it dates from Tudor times when Officers were placed close to the Sovereign's person to protect him or her from danger.
The Office is held jointly by the Colonels of the Life Guards and the Blues and Royals, Regiments of the Household Cavalry of the Household Division. The Gold Stick, and only one is on duty at any one time as Gold Stick-in-Waiting, were originally entrusted with the personal safety of the Sovereign. Since the reign of Queen Victoria these Officers' duties have been mainly ceremonial; they attend all State occasions and take part in the processions for the Coronation and the State Opening of Parliament. On these occasions Gold Stick conveys the Sovereign's orders to the Household Cavalry. The name derives from the staff of office, which has a gold head.
6 - HRH's husband is now a Rear Admiral. He was a Commander when they married.
I have the utmost respect for HRH. She is an independent and free thinking member of the Royal Family - and is a chip off the old Mountbatten block.
The Viscount
