Duke of Kent, 88, attends his last event as Colonel of the Scots Guard before failed marine Prince Edward takes on role – and says it’s been a ‘true honour which will forever fill me with great joy’

The Duke of Kent today attended the Scots Guards Black Sunday, marking his final official engagement as Colonel of the Scots Guard.

The late queen’s 88-year-old cousin was photographed at the memorial in London after it was announced he would abdicate in favor of King Charles’ brother Prince Edward.

The 60-year-old Duke of Edinburgh – who famously quit the Royal Marines after just four months in office – will today be appointed the new colonel after being chosen by the King.

Speaking ahead of the ceremony at the Guards Chapel at Wellington Barracks this morning, the Duke of Kent – who was a colonel for 50 years – said the role had been ‘a true honour’.

He said: “Serving as Colonel of the Scots Guards since 1974, the longest anyone has spent in this role, has been a true honor and one that will forever fill me with great joy.

“Through those years I have seen the work of the Scots Guards in peacetime and war,” his statement, shared today on the royal family’s Instagram account, added.

The post included 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 wore a navy blue suit, a striped red and blue tie and a blue checked shirt.

He paired the outfit with a pair of black leather loafers, while pinning several medals on his blazer representing 50 years of service.

With a walking stick in his right hand, he appeared cheerful as he set out to greet the king’s guard.

The duke – also known as Prince Edward – paid tribute to the “bravery, selfless courage and devotion to duty” of the Scots Guards before giving up his position.

He added: “To my fellow Scots Guardsmen, I am immensely proud to have served you all. I am pleased that His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh will continue to champion everything you do and work to preserve your great legacy.”

The Duke of Edinburgh will now head the elite infantry regiment that fought in the Battle of Waterloo.

Speaking about the new appointment, he said it was an ‘exceptional honour’, while also praising the former colonel for his ‘extraordinary’ service.

He said: ‘The Duke of Kent has been an extraordinary colonel of the Scots Guards. Apart from his deep knowledge and keen understanding of the regiment and all those who have served in the past and present, he has been a tireless and passionate advocate.

“It is a special honor to be asked and entrusted by His Majesty to serve as the next Colonel. However, I accept it with some trepidation as I will undoubtedly be measured against the formidable record and reputation of my predecessor. I can only promise that I will do my best.’

For years the prince was kept away from military patronages after leaving his Royal Marines training in 1987.

The Queen was reportedly furious when he swapped military service for the performing arts.

Although defense sources say Edward is being considered for this promotion, some observers believe this is a result of the shrinking monarchy.

He has taken on a growing number of senior roles, especially 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 servicemen and their families.

The Scots Guards are one of five prestigious Regiments of Foot Guards within the Household Division of the British Army – alongside the Irish, Welsh, Grenadier and Coldstream Guards – which carry out ceremonial duties such as taking part in major state events in support of the monarch.

The Guardsmen also fight soldiers who, when not guarding the King or participating in Trooping the Colour, are deployed on operations or training around the world.

Since the Scots Guards were founded in 1642, the regiment has played a key role in major conflicts around the world, from the Battle of Waterloo in 1815, both World Wars and the Falklands War, and has seen deployments in Northern Ireland, Afghanistan and Iraq.

The Duke served in the armed forces for more than 21 years. He began his career as a second lieutenant in the Royal Scots Grays and retired as a lieutenant colonel in 1976.

In 1993 he was promoted to field marshal, the highest rank in the British Army.

Today he joined a Remembrance Service in the Guards Chapel at Wellington Barracks with members of the Scots Guards, before saluting for the final time 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 cousin of the late Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, making him both a second cousin and second cousin when he was transferred to King Charles.