Prince Edward looks the spitting image of his father Prince Philip at the Guards Polo Club

Spectators at the Guards Polo Club in Windsor Great Park did a double-take at the weekend when they saw their royal visitor.

With his panama hat, navy blazer, silk pocket square and slacks, Prince Edward looked the spitting image of his father, Prince Philip, whom he has succeeded as Duke of Edinburgh. 

Prince Edward, 59, presented the cup to the winners of the Royal Windsor Cup, Four Quarters Orange.

His father was president of the Berkshire club from its formation in 1955 until his death in 2021.

Earlier this month, Edward joined his wife Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, and other Royal Family members at the King’s inaugural Birthday Parade.

With his panama hat, navy blazer, silk pocket square and slacks, Prince Edward (pictured right) looked the spitting image of his father, Prince Philip (pictured left in 2005), whom he has succeeded as Duke of Edinburgh

Sophie, 58, looked a vision in a white ensemble as she travelled in a carriage alongside Timothy Laurence, Princess Anne’s husband, as the Duke of Edinburgh rode in on horseback.

Prince Edward was participating in Trooping the Colour in his role as Colonel of the 1st Battalion London Guards, which was formed last year. 

Sophie would typically have travelled with her husband, but he had a very different role in the procession this year. The couple’s two children, Lady Louise and James, Earl of Wessex, were not spotted.

The event marked the first Trooping the Colour the Royal Family held without the late Queen Elizabeth II, following her death last September.

Last year’s celebrations marked seven decades since the late monarch’s ascension to the throne, meanwhile this year heralds a new era for the family, with King Charles at its helm.

The Trooping the Colour has marked the official birthday of the sovereign – which takes place in June despite Charles being born in November – for more than 260 years. 

Sophie donned a white long-sleeved dress, which she paired with gold and silver jewellery and an oversized stylish hat.

She wore her blonde hair in a stylish updo and smiled at the excited crowd as she made her way to Horse Guards Parade. 

Prince Edward, 59, presented the cup to the winners of the Royal Windsor Cup, Four Quarters Orange

His father was president of the Berkshire club from its formation in 1955 until his death in 2021. Pictured, Prince Edward

The King was the first monarch in more than 30 years to take part in the event on horseback.

Charles took the royal salute as Colonel in Chief of the Household Division’s seven regiments during the ceremony, staged on Horse Guards Parade, as members of the royal family and 8,000 spectators watched

The colour, or regimental flag, that will be trooped in front of hundreds of Guardsmen and officers will be the King’s Colour of the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards.

It will be the first time a reigning monarch has ridden at the Colour since Queen Elizabeth’s horse Burmese carried her during the 1986 ceremony.

Burmese, a gift from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, was the Queen’s favourite steed for ceremonial occasions and she rode it for 18 years until its retirement in 1986, and decided to use a carriage rather than train another charger.