The Duchess of Cornwall supports her husband The Prince of Wales in his work and role as Heir to the Throne, and also supports a number of her own charities and organisations in the role of President or Patron.
Since becoming The Duchess of Cornwall, Her Royal Highness has travelled across the country with The Prince and on solo engagements, meeting people from all walks of life.
Armed Services
The Duchess supports the work of the British Armed Services both in the United Kingdom and abroad. Her Royal Highness has her own military appointments and accompanies The Prince on the majority of his visits to the Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force.
Her Royal Highness is Royal Colonel of the 4th Battalion The Rifles, Commodore-in-Chief of Naval Medical Services, Royal Navy, Sponsor of HMS Astute and Honorary Air Commodore of both RAF Leeming and RAF Halton.
In 2006 The Duchess of Cornwall became Royal Colonel of the 4th Battalion The Rifles following the reorganisation of the regiments. The Battalion was previously named the 2nd Battalion The Royal Green Jackets with The Queen as Colonel-in-Chief.
The Duchess said she was “delighted and deeply honoured” to receive the appointment. Since her appointment Her Royal Highness has taken a very close interest in the battalion, which has suffered heavy losses during its tour in Afghanistan.
The Duchess visits the regiment regularly at Bulford Camp in Wiltshire. She meets servicemen and women and their families, presents service medals wherever possible, receives regular briefings from the Commanding Officer and writes letters to bereaved families and injured servicemen, often sending a gift to help speed their recovery.
In 2006 The Queen appointed The Duchess of Cornwall to the position of Commodore-in-Chief of Naval Medical Services, Royal Navy.
In June 2007 The Duchess of Cornwall, as Sponsor of the vessel, launched the Royal Navy's largest and most powerful submarine, HMS Astute, to the cheers of 10,000 people in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria.
In 2008 The Queen approved new Royal Air Force honorary appointments in recognition of the strong links between the Royal Air Force and the Royal Family. The Duchess of Cornwall was appointed Honorary Air Commodore of both RAF Leeming and RAF Halton.
In addition to these official military appointments, The Duchess of Cornwall has met a wide variety of current and former military personnel in the UK and overseas.
Her Royal Highness also attends ceremonial military occasions including the 90th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme and more regular occasions such as the Remembrance Service at the Cenotaph each year in November. In 2010 Their Royal Highness visited Fromelles to pay tribute to the last of the 250 First World War soldiers recovered from communal graves in France.
Her Royal Highness also has personal connections to organisations related to the military through her father Major Bruce Shand, who was awarded two military crosses. For example, The Duchess is Patron and an Honorary Member of the Desert Rats Association. Major Bruce Shand, fought with the Desert Rats in the Second World War before he was captured during the Battle of El Alamein. The Duchess has also invited veterans, serving soldiers and officers of the 9th/12th Lancers to Clarence House for reception, with whom her father also served.
The Duchess is also Patron of Sea Cadet Unit TS Astute which is related to her role as Sponsor of HMS Astute and Her Royal Highness is a Life Member of the Royal British Legion Women's Section, of which The Princess Royal is President. Find out more about The Duchess of Cornwall's military appointments
Overseas tours
The Duchess of Cornwall visits countries overseas with The Prince of Wales as part of Their Royal Highnesses’ role in supporting Her Majesty The Queen.
The overseas visits are undertaken at the request of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to further British diplomatic interests, raise the UK’s profile in the country visited and highlight British excellence.
Visit The Duchess of Cornwall's official website
