Kate is tipped to replace Prince Andrew as the next Colonel of the Grenadier Guards – as Duchess is ‘seriously considered’ to stand in for the Queen at Sandhurst’s Sovereign’s Parade, says insider
- Duchess, 40, would be first female colonel in the regiment’s 366-year history
- Andrew lost his honorary role when he was stripped of military titles in January
- Royal colonel is typically present at medal parades and regimental gatherings
- Revelation comes as Kate is lined up to stand in for Queen at Sovereign’s Parade
The Duchess of Cambridge is tipped to be the next Colonel of the Grenadier Guards, replacing Prince Andrew who was stripped of his military titles in January.
Kate, 40, would be the first female colonel in the 366-year history of the regiment, which was formed by King Charles II.
The royal colonel will typically be present at medal parades, events in the presence of the Queen and regimental gatherings, dinners and galas.
The revelation comes as the Duchess is lined up to stand in for the Queen at the Sovereign’s Parade at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.
A senior royal source confirmed: ‘It’s being seriously considered.’
The Duchess of Cambridge (pictured on March 17), 40, is tipped to be the next Colonel of the Grenadier Guards, replacing Prince Andrew who was stripped of his military titles in January
Andrew (pictured making an inspection during a parade by the Grenadier Guards in March 2019) inherited the honorary role with the Grenadier Guards from his father, the Duke of Edinburgh, when he retired from public life in 2017
Catherine taking the salute at one of the two remaining passing-out parades this year would be a fitting tribute for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, and would have personal significance for the Duchess, as Prince William graduated from the celebrated military academy as an officer in 2006.
The Queen, who is head of the Armed Forces, took that parade, and the Duchess attended as William’s then girlfriend. Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall also attended the event.
Kate has attended military functions with Prince William, who is Colonel of the Irish Guards, and she accompanies him to medal parades and regimental events for the Irish Guards, handing out traditional St Patrick’s Day shamrocks.
She has also taken the salute at the Household Division’s Beating Retreat on Horse Guards Parade in London. Many members of the Royal Family have military experience, but it’s not required to be appointed colonel of a regiment.
The Sandhurst role would be a strong indication that Kate will soon be handed an honorary military role, such as colonel-in-chief of a regiment. The Queen is involved in selecting colonels.
Andrew inherited the honorary role with the Grenadier Guards from his father, the Duke of Edinburgh, when he retired from public life in 2017.
The revelation comes as the Duchess is lined up to stand in for the Queen at the Sovereign’s Parade at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. Pictured: The Queen inspecting soldiers at the parade in Surrey in December 2006
It was one of the positions that he clung to when he first stepped back from official duties in 2019.
But Andrew lost his honorary role when he was stripped of his military titles amid a sex assault lawsuit brought by Virginia Giuffre in the United States.
The Queen, 96, took on Andrew’s role by default.
The Grenadier Guards have fought in almost every major campaign of the British Army, including the Napoleonic, Crimean, Boer, First and Second World Wars.
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