On Friday morning, King Charles III suited up in his full military uniform to attend the 200th Sovereign’s Parade, the annual ceremony at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst honoring the recently commissioned officer cadets, for the first time since he became monarch last September. During the event, he carried a ceremonial scepter and presented a new banner that will be flown alongside the one representing Queen Elizabeth II. In a speech to 171 officer cadets who completed 44 weeks of intensive training, he emphasized the royal family’s close ties to Sandhurst and military service.
Addressing the cadets and their families, Charles mentioned the emotions he felt when his two sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, both completed the grueling training course in 2006. “Speaking as a father of two alumni of this Academy who remembers their passing out parades, I know they will be full of immense pride in witnessing you on parade,” he said. Both Charles and the late queen were present for the Sovereign’s Parade when Harry and William finished their training.
In the 1970s, Charles served in both the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy, eventually completing training courses at Royal Air Force College Cranwell and Royal Naval College Dartmouth. While speaking to the cadets, he mentioned his own experiences. “Having attended—and survived— two of the other military academies 50 years ago, I think I have some idea of the challenges which are inherent in military training,” he said. “I have experienced the nerves, the exhaustion—even the self-doubt – but, despite such recollections, it is the lifelong friendships which are forged through shared hardship, and the humor that you find in the darkest hours of the coldest, wettest nights, which remain with you.”
Earlier this week, Harry confirmed that he would be present for his father’s coronation on May 6, though he will not be accompanied by Meghan Markle or the couple’s two children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. Sources close to the couple told the Times that the couple understood they would have faced criticism whether Meghan attended or not. ““It is important for Harry as the King’s son to show up for his father,” one source told the newspaper. “That seems quite genuine.”
As for Charles, sources told the Telegraph that he is “generally quite forgiving” and is pleased that both his sons will attend the event. “There’s a warmth around the place and a proper rallying around the King, who in turn is showing some serious [emotional intelligence] by ensuring the family is given the opportunity to pull together,” added a friend of Charles.
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Erin Vanderhoof
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