LONDON, Nov 9, (Agencies): Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, made a striking appearance in full army uniform during her visit to Robertson Barracks at Swanton Morley in Norfolk on Wednesday. The 41-year-old royal, serving as the Colonel-in-Chief of the 1st Queen's Dragoon Guards (QDG) since her appointment by King Charles last August, seemed to thoroughly enjoy the official engagement.

Engaging with serving personnel and their families, Kate donned a smile as she toured the site, even trying her hand at flying a drone. During her visit, she took the opportunity to present medals to servicemen and women, and in a unique twist, bestowed a significant promotion upon the regimental mascot pony.

The Queen's Dragoon Guards, established in 1685 as the Cavalry Regiment of Wales and the Border Counties, have evolved from a horseback regiment to utilizing Jackal 2 high mobility vehicles for mobility, along with conducting operations on foot. Kate experienced a ride in one of the Jackal vehicles, and later, she inspected a hide while a soldier explained its field use. The visit also included a touching tribute to fallen QDG members ahead of Remembrance Day.

In addition to awarding Long Service and Good Conduct medals, Kate conferred a formal promotion on the regiment's beloved mascot, Trooper Longface Emrys Jones, a Bay Welsh mountain pony who has served with the QDG since 2016. The pony was elevated from Lance Corporal to Corporal, marking a special moment in the regiment's history. Concluding the visit, the Princess of Wales received three cheers from the regiment before departing in a helicopter.