The East Kent Yeomanry had become mounted riflemen in 1863 so the Prince’s Rifle Brigade links made him a natural choice for Honorary Colonel. He kept the post until the East and West Kent yeomanries amalgamated in 1920, although sub units of the Regiment based in East Kent kept the “Duke of Connaught’s Own” title until 1967.
Prince Arthur was the last British prince to command a major military formation in action, leading a brigade of guards at the battle of Tel al-Kebir in Egypt (1882). The British commander, General Wolseley declared that he had “taken more care of his men and is more active in the discharge of his duties than any of the generals now with me”.