Queen jokes about Royal Lancers’ capacity for drinking beer

The Queen joked about members of her late father’s regiment’s capacity to drink beer during her first visit to their barracks since she was appointed as colonel-in-chief.

The Royal Lancers carry a significant connection for Queen Camilla, 76, as her father Major Bruce Shand served with the 12th Lancers during the Second World War.

Addressing her Regiment for the first time at their North Yorkshire barracks, having become colonel-in-chief last June, she reflected on his experiences and joked: “I shan’t ask about the NCO’s capacity for beer!”

Before quoting from Major Shand’s memoir, Previous Engagements, she said: “As I approached Catterick this morning for my first visit as your very proud colonel-in-chief, I couldn’t help but recall my father’s description of his initial impressions of the 12th Lancers, when he joined the regiment back in 1937.

“Today, 87 years later, I am delighted to see that the atmosphere amongst the Lancers remains welcoming and relaxed and that you still have a very nice, quietly efficient Adjutant… although I shan’t ask about the NCOs capacity for beer!”