A prince, a ram and a regiment of yeomanry could all be spotted at Lulworth Castle on Sunday, as the Earl of Wessex presided over a consecration service for a new regimental flag.

Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex - in his capacity as the Royal Honorary Colonel of The Royal Wessex Yeomanry (RWxY) - attended a consecration service for a new Guidon flag at the castle on Sunday, standing in for his mother the Queen. 

In a traditional military Drumhead Service conducted by the chaplain-general, the Rev. Dr David George Coulter, the Guidon was presented to the regiment by the Queen's representative, HRH Prince Edward. 

The event, attended by serving personnel, veterans and families, took place in front of Lulworth Castle and involved a parade of 140 officers and soldiers from the regiment. Also in attendance was a very special visitor - the Regimental ram, Lance Corporal Ramrod D’Arcy, a purebred Dorset Horn ram decked out in his finest regimental coat.

The Earl of Wessex handed over the flag, saying as he did so:
“On behalf of Her Majesty I hand over these colours in the confidence that you will guard them well. That they will be symbols of the RWxY's enduring spirit and devotion to duty.
"That it will inspire you in the face of uncertainties.

"That as an emblem of your achievements it will be an embodiment of your regiment’s traditions, heritage and ethos.

"But most importantly I give it into your care as a token of Her Majesty’s admiration and trust in each and every one of you and in the regiment in which you serve.”

The Earl of Wessex has been associated with the Royal Wessex Yeomanry since 2003, and has carried out numerous engagements in his role as the Royal Honorary Colonel. 

RWxY's commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Ruthven Burdon Cooper, said the event was the regimental family's largest-ever gathering, and a 'once in 40-years occasion'.

“This is a very significant and symbolic day for the regiment," Lt. Col. Burdon Cooper said. "The presentation of a new Guidon serves to bind together the regiment's illustrious past with its future. We are all proud and privileged to bear HRH The Earl of Wessex's name in our regimental title.

“It's a big day for all of us. We will all be standing a few inches taller -including L. Cpl. Ramrod D'Arcy 4th."

James Weld, of the family that owns Lulworth Castle, said: "We were delighted to welcome HRH The Earl of Wessex to Lulworth Castle on Sunday to present the Regimental Guidon to The Royal Wessex Yeomanry. 

"Everyone involved had clearly worked hard to ensure the parade was perfect on the day. A fine spectacle, in spite of the very hot weather, and certainly Britain at its military best."

In July 1999, the Dorset Yeomanry were folded into the Royal Wessex Yeomanry, an event that coincided with the regiment being re-purposed to the role of replacement crewmen for the regular army’s equipped armoured regiments.