Prince Philip, on the left of this photo, wears the older pattern of No.1 Dress jacket that is waist-length at the front but with short tails at the back. This would date from 1994 when the turn-backs were yellow, the facing colour of the Gordon Highlanders. Other distinctions of the Gordons are apparent; the embroidered Tiger collar badges and the black line incorporated into the gold shoulder cords. He is accompanied by the Colonel of The Highlanders, Brigadier The Hon. Hugh Brisbane Henry Ewart Monro CBE. He wears the more up-to-date pattern doublet with Inverness skirts. It is noticeable that the Brigadier’s doublet is a darker shade of green than Prince Philip’s.
They are in No.1A Ceremonial order but for some reason do not carry swords. The white shoulder-belt is normally worn in this order of dress with slings attached to a broadsword. They both have Gordon Highlanders kilts distinguished by the yellow lines laid on the dark government tartan, although the Brigadier’s tartan is more subdued. They both have Gordons’ sporrans with a badge in the middle that is actually inscribed GORDON HIGHLANDERS. The waist-belts, however, bear the St Andrew badge of the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders, Prince Philip, again, having the older pattern oval shape. The white spats have ten black buttons which are also a distinction of the Gordon Highlanders. The blue glengarry caps retained their three-part badge of the Seaforth stag’s head and motto and the crowned thistle of the Camerons.
The Highlanders became the 4th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland in 2006, making it the Prince’s third amalgamation since he was appointed Colonel-in-Chief of the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders on 2 June 1953. He continued as Colonel-in-Chief of 4 SCOTS until his death in April 2021, a service of 68 years.
