WORCESTERSHIRE'S tank regiment has been congratulated for its high standards of work across the world by Prince Philip during a royal visit marking the Queen's Golden Jubilee.
The Prince praised the Queen's Royal Hussars after presenting them with medals to commemorate the jubilee year at their current base at Athlone Barracks in Germany.
The visit was the first made by the Prince in his new role of Colonel-in-Chief, which he took over after the death of the Queen Mother.
During the visit, the Prince also planted two cherry trees as memorials to the Queen Mother and for the Queen's Golden Jubilee.
The Duke's association with the regiment stems back nearly half a century, after he was made Colonel-in-Chief of the Eighth King's Royal Irish Hussars in 1953.
After a number of amalgamations, the Queen's Royal Hussars were formed and the Prince became Deputy Colonel-in-Chief of the regiment.
Lt Col David Swann said the regiment had been honoured by the Prince's visit, especially as he had had to find time out of a busy schedule with the Queen's Golden Jubilee.
"We had a very positive response from the Prince," the commanding officer said after the presentation.
"As he left, he congratulated the regiment, which means a great deal to every one of us here. The Prince always takes a great interest in the regiment and it was a real privilege to have him with us again."
Sgt Major Mike Guyatt, from Malvern, was one of the 20 Hussars chosen to receive the jubilee medal from the Prince during the parade.
The 34-year-old said the Prince had shown "genuine interest" in the welfare of those serving in the regiment, as well as their families.
Before the parade, his 13-year-old daughter Samantha and 10-year-old son James spoke to the Prince when he visited some of the soldiers' wives and children in the sergeants' mess.
"He really does make you feel at ease," he said.
"He really is a very down to earth man. When he pinned my medal on to me he asked me about my tours in Northern Ireland. Just before the parade he was talking to my son and daughter about school and football and went out of his way to talk to the old comrades visiting for the weekend, which obviously meant a lot to them."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article