King Charles III has warned of “difficult times” ahead during an official outing with his sister Anne, the Princess Royal. The duo participated in a rare joint duty in the afternoon on Thursday, June 16, when they visited the Blues and Royals squadron of the Household Cavalry ahead of Trooping the Colour. While speaking with the gathered soldiers, the monarch warned the “battle-hardened” troops of an “array of threats” they face while on the job.
The King and Princess invited members of the Household Cavalry to Buckingham Palace on Thursday as the King presented them with a new Sovereign Standard.
They stood on a Dias at the residence’s centre, with the King donning a Field Marshal’s uniform – complete with a baton – and his sister her Blues and Royals colonel uniform.
Attendees, including 35 soldiers and 27 horses, formed up around the royals as the King presented the new standard – a gold embroidered silk damask flag bearing the Royal Arms complete with regimental battle honours.
Charles delivered a rousing speech and spoke of his pride for their ranks while appreciating the circumstances in which they provide their service.
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The King said: “In these difficult times for our country, as we continue to face an array of threats in many different forms, both domestically and internationally, it is all the more important to preserve such standards of excellence and achievement.
“As your Colonel-in-Chief, I know that your Colonel, the Princess Royal, joins me in thanking you all for your unlimited commitment and service, as well as your families for their tremendous and unwavering support, some of whom I am delighted to see are able to join us today.
“I commend this standard to your safe-keeping as a source of pride and inspiration to all of you – wherever you may be – in the service of your country.”
The standard the King presented to troops yesterday will be on display again this weekend, with the monarch and Princess also debuting once more for Trooping the Colour.
The Royal Family will spend the day commemorating Charles’ first official birthday on June 17.
The ceremony starts with the royals departing Buckingham Palace around 10am as part of a procession towards Horse Guards in Whitehall.
The main event – the parade – commences from 10.30am for nearly two hours before concluding at 12.25pm, when royals return to the family’s official residence.
The Firm will gather on the balcony from 12.55pm, with the highly anticipated flypast due by 1pm.
