Princess Catherine wears army gear, drives armoured vehicle at Norfolk barracks
New photos show Princess Catherine donning camo gear as she gets behind the wheel of a seven-tonne armoured vehicle for her new army role.
Royals
Don't miss out on the headlines from Royals. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Princess Catherine wore full camouflage gear as she drove a seven-tonne armoured vehicle while visiting the cavalry she’s in charge of for the first time.
The Princess of Wales was appointed the Colonel-in-Chief of the 1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards by King Charles in August.
It was one of the prestigious new royal titles she and Prince William were given after Prince Harry left his royal life in the UK for California.
The radiant Catherine was described as “a natural” as she got behind the wheel of the massive vehicle, which is equipped with a machine gun, during a visit to Robertson Barracks in Swanton Morley, Norfolk, The Sun reports.
“It’s very responsive actually, given the size of the thing,” the beaming royal said.
Corporal Darreyl Tukana, a driving instructor, drove Catherine in the Jackal 2 to a troop hide, then let her take the controls to drive them back to where they started.
He said: “She was a natural. She drives a Land Rover back at home – I told her it’s exactly the same, just take it slowly and go back to where we started off from.”
Catherine spoke with senior officers, soldiers and families during her visit and was presented with the Queen’s Dragoon Guards brooch, which was made in 1959 for the Queen Mother, who also served as Colonel-in-Chief of the regiment.
In a cute touch, the royal promoted the regimental mascot, a Bay Welsh mountain pony, from Lance Corporal to Corporal before she left by helicopter.
Catherine’s visit comes as her husband Prince William continues his tour of Singapore where he is hosting this year’s Earthshot Prize.
HARRY ‘OVERSHADOWS’ WILLIAM
Prince Harry “overshadowed” Prince William’s Earthshot Awards again after previously stealing the limelight with his Netflix release, a royal expert has claimed.
The former royal poked fun at himself for the Stand Up For Heroes comedy event raising funds for US veterans.
During the gag-filled video, Prince Harry joked about “ginger” people like him being an “endangered species”.
“I was deeply honoured when asked to debut my stand-up act with you all tonight. I was so relieved to be invited back, but then I started to question whether his invite for me to actually do stand-up was in fact his idea of a joke,” he said.
“Either way, due to the shockingly low representations of gingers last year and out of respect for my fellow endangered species, here I am reporting for duty.”
The Duke filmed the footage at his $20 million California home.
Prince Harry’s full speech at the 17th Annual Stand Up for Heroes Benefit .
— ð‘ºð’–ð’”ð’”ð’†ð’™ ð‘ªð’ð’Žð’Žð’–ð’ð’Šð’•ð’š ð‘¬ð’—ð’†ð’ð’•ð’” (@SussexEvent) November 7, 2023
"Due to the shockingly low representation of gingers last year, and out of respect for my fellow endangered species, here I am, reporting for duty." - PH pic.twitter.com/43abuRDQl7
Interestingly, Prince Harry happened to release the video moments before his dad King Charles gave his historic first King’s speech at parliament – and as Prince William toured Singapore for the Earthshot Prize.
Respected royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams suggested the former royal’s video has “overshadowed” his father and brother.
For years the Sussexes have famously gone rogue in this department,” Mr Fitzwilliams told The Sun.
“He should not be doing this at the same time as his brother at the Earthshot Prize and his father’s historical speech.”
“Joking about gingers and standing up for heroes is splendid but the timing is deplorable.
“No one could possibly argue with the sentiments expressed,” he said.
“He has done a great deal for veterans including the Invictus Games – but the timing is no accident because the Sussexes know what they are doing.
“The impression it gives is that he is definitely making a splash to gain attention.”
Mr Fitzwilliams believes the breakdown in trust between Prince Harry and his family shows no sign of healing.
“Trust is at the core of the complete breakdown between his father and brother and the deep rift remains.”
“The Sussexes refuse to handle affairs so they don’t overshadow other royals in their endeavours.
“This is sad as it is a particularly pivotal week, armistice day, ceremony on Sunday.
“It appears he is doing something to be seen while his father is having his historic moment doing an address as King.
“His brother is in Singapore and Harry seems to want a piece of the action so to speak.”
Mr Fitzwilliams compared Harry’s actions to the release of the Sussexes’ incendiary Netflix trailer in December last year.
Harry and Meghan reignited their war on William and Kate while they were touring Boston in 2022.
Royal aides believe they “deliberately” timed its release to ambush the Prince and Princess of Wales during their major visit to the US.
Mr Fitzwilliams added: “One of the things the Sussexes have specialised in is doing their own thing at their own time. The Netflix trailer in December is simply another example of it.
“They don’t co-operate with the normal way the royal family seems to operate – the others do not steal their thunder but they just do their own thing and they are predictable.
“This appears to be a clear example, however worthy the cause is, of taking away the enormous interest in Charles and William.
“Harry knows if he is present that anything will garner interest as he has not appeared a lot recently – the timing is no coincidence.”
Royal expert Matt Wilkson posted on X: “Interesting choice of timing to drop online Harry’s video for Stand Up for Heroes ….
“Appears just as his brother arrives at Earthshot Prize in Singapore and his father is at State Opening of Parliament in London.”
WILLIAM VOWS TO GO ‘A STEP FURTHER’ THAN ROYALS
It comes as Prince William vowed to go a “step further” than his family has in the past and “actually bring change”.
Speaking to travelling media in Singapore he reflected from the heart on his first year as Prince of Wales and outlined his ambition to become a “social leader”.
The 41-year-old prince, fresh from taking his Earthshot to Asia, said his project is “so much more” than just a prize ceremony.
But he revealed his inner drive to ensure his Prince of Wales role will “bring change” to causes close to his heart such as homelessness and mental health.
In an extraordinary revealing interview, William said he wants to “build homes” and “provide mental support, all the employment and the education”.
He pledged to “remain focused” and wants to use the convening power of his role to give people a “better future” and concentrate on key social issues to “not spread yourself too thin”.
Asked to reflect on the first 12 months since becoming Prince of Wales and heir to the throne, William said: “So I think the thing that ties it all together for me is about social leadership.”
He added: “That’s what I’m trying to find my way in is I care about so many things and previously the family have been very much spotlighting brilliantly and going round and highlighting lots – I want to go a step further.
“I want to actually bring change and I want to bring people to the table who can do the change if I can’t do it.
“And so it’s all about progressing, helping and advancing particular social causes that need to be given more support.
More Coverage
Originally published as Princess Catherine wears army gear, drives armoured vehicle at Norfolk barracks
Meghan to make surprise acting return?
Meghan Markle rose to fame on NBC legal drama Suits, and with the spin-off set to hit screens could fans be seeing the return of Rachel Zane?
‘Low’: Princess’ newborn under attack
Something truly gross happened just minutes after Buckingham Palace announced the birth of Princess Beatrice’s new daughter.