King Charles has paid a moving tribute to those affected by the fatal Royal Navy helicopter crash.
In a speech at Windsor Castle on Tuesday, he expressed his “great sadness” over the incident.
Addressing Royal Marines, guards and their families gathered for the ceremony, the king said he was “deeply shocked” by the news of the accident, referring to his past service with 845 Naval Air Squadron.
“As a former Junglie pilot with the 845th Naval Squadron, I was deeply shocked to hear this most tragic news,” he said.
“Our thoughts and deep sympathies are with the family, friends and colleagues of those involved. I know this accident may have affected everyone here today.”
He added a note of solidarity, while acknowledging the international presence at the event: “It is heartening to see representatives of some of our oldest international allies and partners present on this occasion.
I pray that these connections will continue for years to come.
The King then turned to the formal purpose of the ceremony, congratulating the Grenadier Guards as they were presented with new colours, which he said carried “45 battle honors from Tangier to the Gulf”, described as a “shining testimony to the courage, resilience and enduring spirit” of the regiment across generations.
“Those of you present at the parade today are the proud custodians of this heritage,” he told the assembled troops.
Reflecting on the regiment’s recent service, Charles highlighted its continued operational role since presenting the last colors 16 years ago, including deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as supporting during the Covid-19 pandemic and assisting in the training of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
He said the modern world posed “new and evolving challenges, complex in nature and often unpredictable in form”, but expressed full confidence in the regiment’s continued strength.
“Yet I am confident that the adaptability, professionalism and unwavering determination for which the Grenadier Guards are renowned will ensure that you remain as effective and indispensable in meeting these demands as you have been in every era before,” he said.
Concluding his speech, the King officially entrusted the new flags to the care of the regiment.
“I therefore entrust these new colors to your care with full confidence that you will continue to uphold the finest traditions of the Grenadier Guards with unwavering determination, with distinction and with that indomitable spirit which has carried you through 370 years and which I know will carry you for many more years to come.”
