Royal family attendance at Afghanistan service

The reason why the earthquakes did not defeat Christchurch is because of you, and what has united all of you.

I applaud your vision and of course your aims.

The Regimental Association is the very embodiment of the Regimental Family and I trust that it will thrive equally well over the next century too!

We must not let the wounded men and women of our Armed Forces down.

You are such an important part of our Foundation family.

Meet challenge head-on and overcome it and inspire others to do the same.

We are very proud of the selfless service, and sacrifices made by servicemen and women and their families in recent years.

This is their award.

You are a credit to your Nation.

You are worthy successors to those soldiers of General Monck’s Regiment of Foot, who, in 1660, marched from Coldstream to restore law and order in the Capital.

Hardly a family in the country went unscathed.

You are inspirational role models to all young Britons. Your Country is immensely proud of you.

It is remarkable what these ex-Servicemen and women are able to achieve for these young people by working together with them, for their own good and for the benefit of us all.

The presentation of Colours is a special opportunity to recognise the past achievements, to give thanks for commitment and loyalty today, and to express confidence in the...

We have much to learn from you.

It is still worth telling. It has huge relevance for what’s happening in the world today.

A fresh chapter has now opened with this presentation of new Colours to six of the seven battalions of The Royal Regiment of Scotland.

To exchange combat kit for ceremonial uniform in the space of two weeks is nothing short of remarkable.

The Royal Hospital - this world famous place - represents all that is great about our Country

We all know that we could not be as we are, collectively and individually, without their selfless duty.

Each one of those young men died for you and for me.

For nearly 90 years, the Royal British Legion has blazed the trail in caring for the men and women to whom we owe our freedom.

American and British Forces have fought shoulder to shoulder for a hundred years to safeguard the ideals and values our countries share.

Here reigns courage, humour, compassion and, above all, hope for the future.

The Colours, that I am presenting to you this morning, represent the spirit of the Regiment, past and present.