His majesty King Charles III KG KT GCB OM AK QSO PC ADC

{ Colonel in Chief The Parachute Regiment }

His Majesty began his career in the Armed Services in March 1971, when he started a four-month attachment with the Royal Air Force at Cranwell, Lincolnshire. On 8th March The now King flew himself to RAF Cranwell to train as a jet pilot. At his own request, The King had received flying instruction from the RAF during his second year at Cambridge University. On 29 July, towards the end of his stay at Cranwell, The King, accompanied by two fellow cadets, made his first parachute drop from an Andover into Studland Bay, Dorset. In September 1971, after the passing out parade at Cranwell, The King embarked on a naval career, following in the footsteps of his father, grandfather and both his great-grandfathers.

The six-week course at the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, was followed by service on the guided missile destroyer HMS Norfolk and two frigates. The King qualified as a helicopter pilot in 1974 before joining 845 Naval Air Squadron, which operated from the Commando carrier HMS Hermes. On 9th February 1976, The Prince took command of the coastal minehunter HMS Bronington and left the navy in December 1976.

The King holds honorary rank and appointments in many branches and Regiments of the Armed Services. On being appointed Colonel in Chief The Parachute Regiment on 11th June 1977, The King asked to take part in the Parachute Training Course and in 1978 he attended Parachute Course 841a at RAF Brize Norton.

The course lasted from the 17 to the 28th April 1978. The Prince felt he could not "look them in the eye" or wear The Parachute Regiment's famous Red Beret and Para Wings, unless he had done the course. He told his biographer, Jonathan Dimbleby, 15 years later:

"I felt I should lead from the front or at least be able to do some of the things that one expects others to do for the country."   

In 2006, The King was promoted to Admiral in the Royal Navy, General in the Army and Air Chief Marshal in the Royal Air Force. As Colonel in Chief The Parachute Regiment.

At the end of a busy operational year for the Regiment The King presented Afghanistan Campaign Medals in Colchester on 2nd December 2008 and formally opened Airborne Assault, the new Museum of The Parachute Regiment and Airborne Forces on 8th December 2008.

The King has maintained close links with The Parachute Regiment and attended a medal parade in Colchester in 2011, his 40th anniversary being appointed Colonel in Chief in 2017 and the presentation of new colours in 2021. The King avidly visits the Regiment as shown above and takes a personal interest in supporting where he can bereaved families and the wounded. 

On 8 September 2022, on the sad passing of Queen Elizabeth the Second, he became King Charles the Third.

 

 

 

Read More
The Prince of   Wales now King Charles III

Solo photos_4

Group photos_17

Photos_37

  • His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales at The Parachute Regiment Depot, 10 September 2015.

    His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales at The Parachute Regiment Depot, 10 September 2015.

    1 Image
  • HRH The Prince of Wales with young recruits, 10 September 2015.

    HRH The Prince of Wales with young recruits, 10 September 2015.

    1 Image
  • HRH The Prince of Wales with 'Baz' Roberts and Bob Hood, Ballykinler, 1979-81.

    HRH The Prince of Wales with 'Baz' Roberts and Bob Hood, Ballykinler, 1979-81.

    1 Image
  • HRH Prince of Wales addresses the parade, Wattisham Flying Station, 9 May 2013.

    HRH Prince of Wales addresses the parade, Wattisham Flying Station, 9 May 2013.

    2 Images
  • A member of 3 Regt AAC receives his OSM from HRH Prince of Wales, Wattisham, 9 May 2013.

    A member of 3 Regt AAC receives his OSM from HRH Prince of Wales, Wattisham, 9 May 2013.

    1 Image
  • HRH Prince of Wales presents a trophy to Major Beattie, Wattisham, 9 May 2013.

    HRH Prince of Wales presents a trophy to Major Beattie, Wattisham, 9 May 2013.

    1 Image
  • HRH Prince of Wales with Gen Sir Anthony Farrar-Hockley, Bruneval Commemoration, 19/20 June 1982.

    HRH Prince of Wales with Gen Sir Anthony Farrar-Hockley, Bruneval Commemoration, 19/20 June 1982.

    1 Image Buy Prints
  • HRH Prince of Wales greets veterans at the Airborne Forces Memorial, NMA 13 July 2012.

    HRH Prince of Wales greets veterans at the Airborne Forces Memorial, NMA 13 July 2012.

    1 Image Buy Prints
  • HRH Prince of Wales and the Col Commandant review the Airborne Forces Memorial at the NMA, 13 July 2012.

    HRH Prince of Wales and the Col Commandant review the Airborne Forces Memorial at the NMA, 13 July 2012.

    1 Image Buy Prints
  • The Colonel in Chief and Col Commandant with the sculptors at the Airborne Forces Memorial, NMA 13 July 2012.

    The Colonel in Chief and Col Commandant with the sculptors at the Airborne Forces Memorial, NMA 13 July 2012.

    1 Image Buy Prints
  • HRH Prince of Wales talks to the sculptors of the National Memorial at the NMA, 13 July 2012.

    HRH Prince of Wales talks to the sculptors of the National Memorial at the NMA, 13 July 2012.

    1 Image Buy Prints
  • Bedraggled VIPs at the service of dedication for the Airborne Forces National Memorial, NMA 13 July 2012.

    Bedraggled VIPs at the service of dedication for the Airborne Forces National Memorial, NMA 13 July 2012.

    1 Image Buy Prints
  • The Colonel in Chief and the Colonel Commandant attending the dedication ceremony at the NMA, 13 July 2012.

    The Colonel in Chief and the Colonel Commandant attending the dedication ceremony at the NMA, 13 July 2012.

    1 Image Buy Prints
  • The Colonel in Chief and the Colonel Commandant attending the dedication ceremony at the NMA, 13 July 2012.

    The Colonel in Chief and the Colonel Commandant attending the dedication ceremony at the NMA, 13 July 2012.

    1 Image Buy Prints
  • HRH The Prince of Wales and Greg Allen, 1 PARA, just prior to going to Kosovo, 1999.

    HRH The Prince of Wales and Greg Allen, 1 PARA, just prior to going to Kosovo, 1999.

    1 Image Buy Prints
  • HRH Prince Charles speaks to Paul Aller at the 60th Aniversary of D-Day, 2004

    HRH Prince Charles speaks to Paul Aller at the 60th Aniversary of D-Day, 2004

    1 Image
  • Pte Stuart Mathewson meets HRH Prince of Wales at Redford Barracks, Edinburgh, 1982

    Pte Stuart Mathewson meets HRH Prince of Wales at Redford Barracks, Edinburgh, 1982

    1 Image
  • Gen Sir Geoffrey Howlett stands with HRH Prince of Wales during PARA 90 celebrations, 1990

    Gen Sir Geoffrey Howlett stands with HRH Prince of Wales during PARA 90 celebrations, 1990

    1 Image
  • Shan Hackett and HRH Prince Charles at Arnhem 50th Anniversary, 1994

    Shan Hackett and HRH Prince Charles at Arnhem 50th Anniversary, 1994

    1 Image
  • Nienke and Hiltje Van Eck with HRH Prince of Wales and Maj Tony Hibbert, Arnhem 50th anniversary, 1994

    Nienke and Hiltje Van Eck with HRH Prince of Wales and Maj Tony Hibbert, Arnhem 50th anniversary, 1994

    1 Image
  • Original Double Hills Market Garden Memorial

    Original Double Hills Market Garden Memorial

    1 Image
  • Eric Tripp alongside other veterans at the Airborne Assault opening

    Eric Tripp alongside other veterans at the Airborne Assault opening

    1 Image
  •  His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales' parachute course at No 1 Parachute Training School, 1978.

    His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales' parachute course at No 1 Parachute Training School, 1978.

    1 Image Buy Prints
  •  His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales during a medal ceremony at Merville Barracks in December 2008

    His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales during a medal ceremony at Merville Barracks in December 2008

    1 Image Buy Prints
  • Prince Charles being shown shown a Sterling SMG by a L/Cpl of A Coy 4 PARA at Pudsey, 1970

    Prince Charles being shown shown a Sterling SMG by a L/Cpl of A Coy 4 PARA at Pudsey, 1970

    1 Image Buy Prints

Pegasus extracts_1

  • Regimental Mascot leading march past on Falklands Memorial Day 1st October 1982

    Regimental Mascot leading march past on Falklands Memorial Day 1st October 1982

    1 Item

Newspaper extracts_1

  • Newspaper cutting of 40th anniversary D-Day commemorations, 6 June 1984

    Newspaper cutting of 40th anniversary D-Day commemorations, 6 June 1984

    2 Items

Documents_1

Latest Comments

There are currently no comments for this content.

Add your comment