The Princess of Wales donned combat gear to observe and take part in military drills with the regiment of the Queen’s Dragoon Guards this morning – and she even took an armoured vehicle for a spin.

Kate, 41, arrived at Robertson Barracks in the village of Swanton Morley in Norfolk where the Regiment is stationed to meet troops, learn more about their operations and deliver medals to long serving officers. 

Looking chic in a black blazer layered over a black polo neck and trousers, she shared an in-depth chat with another mother from one of the families involved in the regiment. She wore her thick brunette locks in a straight style, hanging down her shoulders. 

Her all-black outfit comes after Carine Roitfeld, the editor of Vogue France, suggested the Princess should wear more black ‘outside of funerals’ and opt for Chanel items more often as she praised the royal’s overall sense of style but added it is a ‘bit too polished’ for her taste.

However it wasn’t long before she swapped her sleek outfit for a camouflage jacket and vest, plus a helmet, to observe military drills and drive a tank.

The Princess of Wales during her first visit to 1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards at Robertson Barracks, Dareham in Norfolk, since being appointed Colonel-in-Chief by The King in August

Kate in the driver’s seat! The Princess of Wales was pictured at the helm of an armoured vehicle during a drill

Royal mother-of-three Kate was accompanied by another officer as she was shown how the regiment operates

Kate’s visit to the The 1st Queen’s Dragoon Guards is her first since she was made Colonel-in-Chief of the regiment in August this year by King Charles – and during her time with the regiment, she’ll also have the chance to promote a pony to Corporal. 

As she toured the Barracks, the Princess met members of the regiment who demonstrated its operations and how they work in real time. 

She was also pictured meeting families of the Queen’s Dragoon Guards (QDG) who are living in the village of Swanton Morley during a reception. 

The QDG were formed in the year 1959 from the amalgamation of the 1st King’s Dragoon Guards and the Queen’s Bays.

The regiment specialises in reconnaissance, which is the art of seeking out their enemy to learn about and understand how they operate. 

Since the regiment was first formed, the QDG has moved all over the world. 

From June 2021-June 2022, its troops were deployed to Mali as part of a peacekeeping operation in support of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission.

The Princess was pictured in the driving seat as she operated an armoured vehicle around the barracks

The Princess of Wales flies a drone as she visits The Queen’s Dragoon Guards Regiment

The Princess of Wales learns how to fly a drone during her outing today in Dereham

The Princess of Wales reacts as she drives a Jackal 2 high mobility weapons platform during a visit to the 1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards

Combat Kate! The Princess donned her military gear to get stuck into a day of activities with the regiment

Kate appeared ready to take part in the action during her first visit to 1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards at Robertson Barracks, Dareham in Norfolk, since being appointed Colonel-in-Chief by The King in August

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The Princess of Wales is all smiles as she takes part in military activities during today’s outing in Norfolk

Looking the part! Kate opted for a camouflage jacket and helmet teamed with black trousers for today’s event

As part of the visit, Kate will be briefed on the regiment by senior officers and will learn more about the lives of servicemen and women first hand. 

Among the activities lined up for the royal are a lesson in how the Jackal 2 high mobility weapons platform operates, how the team communicates via radios when deployed, and how they utilise reconnaisance drones.

Following this, The Princess will meet families of QDG personnel to hear about their experiences and the welfare support that is offered by the Regiment. 

Her Royal Highness will also award Long Service & Good Conduct medals to a number of servicemen and women in the regiment, and ahead of Remembrance Sunday, will take a moment with serving personnel to remember those that the QDG have lost in active service in recent years. 

The Princess’s visit is her first to the regiment since she was appointed its Colonel-in-Chief by King Charles in August

From beaming to a serious facial expression; the Princess of Wales adopted a face of concentration as she observed the drills

Wearing a combat, camouflage jacket and protective vest plus helmet over her outfit, the Princess got stuck into the activities

As part of her visit to the Barracks, the Princess learnt about how the regiment operate

The Princess of Wales is greeted by a pony as she visits The Queen’s Dragoon Guards Regiment

The Princess of Wales looked stunning in a black blazer and trousers combination as she visited the 1st Queen’s Dragoon Guards in Swanton Morley today

The Princess looked wrapped up for the chilly weather in a black polo neck jumper layered with a black blazer

Mother-of-three Kate chatted to other parents who are family members of the Queen’s Dragoon Guards Regiment

The Princess of Wales displayed a poppy on her lapel ahead of Armistice day on 11th November 

Finally, The Princess will promote the Regimental Mascot (Trooper ‘Longface’ Emrys Jones, a Bay Welsh Mountain Pony) from ‘Lance Corporal’ to ‘Corporal’. 

Kate’s visit comes as her husband Prince William continues his tour of Singapore where he is hosting this year’s Earthshot Prize.

Prince William today delivered a pitch to be King as he insisted he wants to ‘go a step further’ than his family and bring real change to the causes he supports.

The Prince of Wales praised the work of other Royal Family members ‘spotlighting’ important causes, but insisted he wanted to do more than ‘just being’ a patron.

William’s remarks as his visit to Singapore comes to a close will likely raise eyebrows at Buckingham Palace as he continues to set out a vision for the monarchy’s future.

One cause he wants to focus on is homelessness, saying he wanted to help build homes and deliver mental health support, education and employment opportunities.