Today, The Queen, as Captain-General of The Royal Regiment of Artillery, attended a review of the regiment to mark the 300th anniversary of the troops.
In the countryside of Knighton Down in Larkhill, Wiltshire, the Royal Artillery – also known as the Gunners of the Army – gathered to have Her Majesty perform a review of the troops.
Her Majesty inspects the Royal Artillery today at Larkhill as Captain-General. MOD
The Royal Artillery were created by Royal Warrant in 1716 during the reign of George I, and The Queen has been its Captain-General since her accession in 1952.
Her Majesty stood on the dais to take the Royal Salute and National Anthem, also as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. She wore her regimental brooch for the occasion.
She then inspected her men and women personnel alongside the Gunner General, Sir Timothy Granville-Chapman, in a State Review Range Rover.
The Queen addresses the Royal Artillery at Larkhill. MOD/Cpl Dan Weipen
Her Majesty is Captain-General of the Royal Artillery MOD/Cpl Dan Wiepen
The Queen gave an address to the soldiers after viewing the The Captain-General’s Baton.
In her speech she spoke of the sacrifice of the regiment, which lost 49,000 souls in WWI and a further 29,000 in WWII. Since 1945 the troops have paid the sacrifice of 461 lives.
‘You should be rightly proud of your achievements,” Her Majesty said.
It was then time for a ride and drive past led from The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery – who take part in Tropping the Colour each June – drawing canon for the ‘Feu de Joie’.
The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery ride past for the Feu de Joie. MOD
Inside marquees, the Monarch was shown paintings and artefacts depicting the history of the regiment, after which she had an official photo with her troops.
A lunch rounded off the event.
