The senior director of a Carlisle law firm has met the Queen by video link.

Nick Kennon of Wragg Mark-Bell travelled to Buckingham Palace in his role as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army Reserves. 

He was there to hand over as Commanding Officer 4th Battalion, Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, at the end of his two-and-a-half year tenure.

The Queen is Colonel-in-Chief of the regiment and Mr Kennon is succeeded by Lieutenant Colonel Edward Fraser.

The meeting took place virtually as the monarch was in Windsor at the time.

It came as Carlisle marked Armed Forces Day. 

Mr Kennon, who will remain a Reservist, said: “It was an absolute honour to be invited to Buckingham Palace last week [JUNE 21] to meet the Queen.

“Myself and five of my comrades from the Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment travelled down to London to be addressed by the Queen virtually from Windsor. 

“As the Colonel-in-Chief of the regiment, the Queen always likes to meet with the commanding officers as they change over. 

“She thanked us for our efforts and commended the hard work of the soldiers of our regiment, she’s very adept at video calls.”

He added: “I am proud to be a Reservist because it means I can support the nation and the general public in addition to my civilian employment.

“I have supported the local region by mobilising to support the civilian authorities for foot and mouth, multiple flooding events and Covid and I was proud to be able to do so.

“I have also mobilised for service overseas (including Iraq and Afghanistan) to support national interests and try to make the world a safer place. 

“In return, I have received the highest quality training in leadership/management/teamwork, met wonderful people, learned a lot about myself and developed professionally and individually. 

“I have developed physical, mental and emotional resilience because it has not always been easy or gone to plan.

“Personally, I don’t believe these Reserve opportunities are available through any other type of employment unless you are a Regular soldier.”

At the meeting Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Moore was succeeded as Commanding Officer 1st Battalion by Lieutenant Colonel Robert Carr, and Lieutenant Colonel Nicholas Higgins assumed his appointment as Commanding Officer 3 RANGER.

Brigadier Frazer Lawrence, Colonel of the Regiment, was also present.