Princess Kate dons camouflage and drives armored vehicle in new military role: See photos

Taijuan Moorman, USA TODAY
·2 min read
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Princess Kate just marked another first.

The Princess of Wales visited 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards Regiment for the first time as their colonel in chief Wednesday.

King Charles appointed Kate with the new royal title over the summer, in addition to the titles of commodore-in-chief of the Fleet Air Arm and the royal honorary air commodore of Royal Air Force Coningsby.

The regiment, also known as The Welsh Cavalry, is in the British Army's Royal Armoured Corps and is the senior regiment of the line of the British Army.

Princess Kate has debuted a new military title: Colonel in Chief.
Princess Kate has debuted a new military title: Colonel in Chief.

Its history dates back to 1959 when two dragoon guards units merged to form an armored reconnaissance regiment. The regiment has been involved in multiple conflicts including the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

In her debut as chief, Princess Kate received a brief from the regiment's senior officers and got to experience service operations. Dressed in full camouflage gear, she tried her hand at driving an armored vehicle, drone and high mobility weapons platform.

During the visit, Kate met with the families of personnel to hear about their experiences and the welfare support the regiment offers. She also paid tribute to members who have been lost in active service, just ahead of the Commonwealth's Remembrance Day, and awarded medals for long service and good conduct to officers.

Princess Kate drives an armored vehicle in her debut as Colonel in Chief.
Princess Kate drives an armored vehicle in her debut as Colonel in Chief.

The milestone for Princess Kate comes as her husband Prince William ends a trip to Singapore, which saw the Prince of Wales attend the United for Wildlife Global Summit and the third annual Earthshot Prize awards ceremony.

The glitzy ceremony at the theater in state-owned Media Corp. was co-hosted by actors Hannah Waddingham and Sterling K. Brown. The bands One Republic and Bastille, and singer Bebe Rexha performed for the night.

Oscar winner Cate Blanchett, actors Donnie Yen, Lana Condor and Nomzano Mbatha, as well as Australian wildlife conservationist Robert Irwin, presented the awards.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kate Middleton takes on new military title, drives armored vehicle