Duchess of Edinburgh welcomes home Wiltshire troops

The Duchess of Edinburgh presented the members of 5 Rifles with medals

The Duchess of Edinburgh has welcomed home soldiers from a "very successful tour" with Nato and presented them with medals.

The event was held for 5th Battalion, The Rifles (5 Rifles) in Bulford, Wiltshire, who had returned from Estonia.

During the event Lieutenant General Tom Copinger-Symes read a message from Queen Camilla, the regiment's Colonel-in-Chief, which said the medals are a reminder of their "tireless service".

Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, added that their presence had enabled the "Estonian people to remain positive and resolute".

5 Rifles had been on a tour working alongside Nato in Estonia

“Back in 2017, I felt very fortunate to be able to visit my Riflemen during the first deployment when the Estonian people were palpably grateful and relieved to have our support," she said.

“Now the horizon is once again clouded, with uncertainty dominating everything.

"Your presence has enabled the Estonian people to remain positive and resolute.”

In a letter, Queen Camilla said she was "delighted" for the battalion's "very successful" tour

In the letter, Queen Camilla said she was "delighted" they had a "very successful" tour.

"Today’s medals parade recognises not only your individual efforts, but also serves as a timely reminder of 5 Rifles tireless service to the Estonian people whilst serving alongside Nato,” she added.

The event was also attended by families, friends and specially invited guests, all accompanied by blues skies and autumnal sunshine

This is the third time the 5 Rifles have deployed to the Baltic States to work alongside Estonian, French, Latvian, Canadian, Lithuanian, Spanish and Finnish Forces.