The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh filled in for King Charles as they commemorated Anglo-French relations at an event marking the 120th anniversary of the Entente Cordiale.
Prince Edward, aged 60, and Sophie, aged 59, inspected troops from both the UK and France on the forecourt of Buckingham Palace during the parade, which highlighted the bond between the two nations.
Throughout the ceremony, the royal couple walked past 32 members of the 1st and 2nd Infantry regiments of the Garde Republicaine, followed by 40 guardsmen from F Company Scots Guards, positioned opposite their French counterparts.
Due to ongoing cancer treatment, the King was absent from Buckingham Palace, with his brother and sister-in-law representing him at the event. Edward and Sophie, last seen publicly with the King on Easter Sunday, were accompanied by General Sir Patrick Sanders, the UK Chief of General Staff, General Pierre Schill, the French Chief of the Army Staff, and France’s ambassador to the UK, Helene Duchene.
Notably, it marked the first instance of a non-Commonwealth country participating in the Changing of the Guard ceremony, although the French troops did not assume guarding duties at the royal residence.
Major Jamie Drummond-Moray, Officer Commanding F Company Scots Guards, said: “It is an enormous privilege for us to host the French here in London and to play such a significant part in a ceremony that has never happened before with a non-Commonwealth country.
“It really is a monumental occasion and more so given that it is marking 120 years of the strong relationship between the UK with France. I think it’s a great honour for all our soldiers and a fantastic day for everyone in France and the UK.”
Sophie appeared stunning in a white midi dress paired with a cream trench coat and nude heels for the ceremony. She wore her hair elegantly styled up in a low bun and accessorized with floral-shaped earrings.
Prince Edward and Duchess Sophie are the parents of Lady Louise Windsor, aged 20, and James, Earl of Wessex, aged 16. While James accompanied his parents on Easter Sunday, Lady Louise was noticeably absent from the church service, presumably due to her university commitments.
Edward and Sophie, along with Queen Camilla and the Princess Royal, are among the senior royals who have stepped in for the King as he continues his treatment.