PRIDE tinged with sadness marked the presentation of Afghanistan campaign medals by the Duchess of Cornwall to 4th Battalion The Rifles on Monday.

On a grey, chilly morning at Bulford, their Royal Colonel told them of her “very mixed emotions” - delight at their return, and sorrow for those who died, and for the 39 wounded. She told the troops: “I salute you all.”

The Duchess, who wore a military-style coat matching the battalion’s green berets, with a green feather in her hat, was welcomed by the commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Rupert Jones.

Injured soldiers, some in wheelchairs, lined up with their comrades. The hundreds of onlookers applauded as Lance Corporal Tyler Christopher, 25, a roadside bombing victim who has been fitted with artificial legs, was helped to stand to receive his medal.

The Duchess told the battalion: “You have worked in the most dangerous, arduous and austere conditions, under constant attack by the Taliban, with the ever-present threat of improvised explosive devices.

“You have shown unswerving courage and professionalism and lived up to your exacting motto, Swift and “The country owes you an enormous debt of gratitude.”

She said she kept “a very close eye” on the progress of the injured at Selly Oak Hospital in Birmingham and Headley Court rehabilitation centre in Surrey, and was “greatly heartened” to see many of them at Tuesday’s parade, “especially Captain Harry Parker, Rifleman Daniel Shaw, Rifleman Sam Walpole and L/cpl Christopher, as I know how hard their road to recovery has been”.

Members of the battalion’s A Company, who are still in Helmand, were in her prayers.

She also paid tribute to the watching family members, telling them: “Your loyalty, love and support have been unfaltering.”

The Duchess later held a private meeting with the bereaved families of L/cpl Taran Cheeseman and Rifleman Daniel Hume and of others from the battalion who died in Iraq. She presented them with Elizabeth Cross medals, scrolls and regimental bugles.