Who said the English gentleman was extinct? Bowler-hatted members of the In and Out Club celebrate 150 years
By DAMIEN GAYLE
Last updated at 10:27 PM on 1st March 2012
The Duke of Edinburgh today joined smartly dressed members of the prestigious In & Out Club for a parade to mark the 150th anniversary of the club's founding.
Patrons of the private members' club dressed in traditional bowler hats and umbrellas and gathered in St James's Square, Westminster, central London, for the celebration.
Overseen by Prince Philip, the club president, they marched around the square with the Band of the Royal Logistics Corps before moving indoors to enjoy a four-course dinner
Traditional dress: Members of the In & Out Club doff their hats and cheer to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the exclusive private members club
God save the Queen: The club's members marched around St James's Square and sang the National Anthem
Three cheers: In & Out members hailed Prince Philip, who is the club's president
Very smart: Formerly a military-only club, the In & Out still enforces a strict dress code
Many of the Club's members marched wearing the traditional attire of bowler hats and umbrellas, before giving 'Three Cheers' to The Duke and singing the National Anthem.
The exclusive club, known officially as the Naval and Military Club, was established in 1862 because all the other service clubs were had reached their full membership quotas.
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Affectionately called the In & Out Club because of the prominent signs at its doorway, the club can boast an exceptional history.
Past members include Robert Falcon Scott, T.E. Lawrence, Rudyard Kipling and Ian Fleming, and the building it is housed in once served as home to Nancy Astor.
Step lively: In & Out members marched around the square accompanied by the Band of the Royal Logistics Corps
Traditional gents: The history of the club dates back to 1862
Huzzah! After their parade, the club members enjoyed a four-course meal
Membership of the In & Out Club was long restricted to military officers, but this is no longer the case.
Like many gentlemen's clubs the In & Out has now opened its doors to women, but it still has a predominantly military or ex-military membership.
Nevertheless, applicants must seek the proposal and seconding of two longstanding members before they are considered for membership.