Princess of Wales dons helmet and camouflage on visit to Norfolk barracks
Kate has been visiting Robertson Barracks near Dereham, her first in her official capacity as Colonel-in-Chief of the regiment
Last updated 8th Nov 2023
The Princess of Wales has been pictured donning a helmet and camouflage and riding in an armoured vehicle, on a visit to a regimental barracks in Norfolk.
Kate has paid a visit to the 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards at Robertson Barracks close to Dereham today.
Her Royal Highness was appointed Colonel-in-Chief of the regiment earlier this year by King Charles.
She got the chance to get behind the wheel of one of the army's Jackel 2 armoured vehicle, exclaiming: "It's very responsive actually, given the size of the thing."
Corporal Darreyl Tukana, a driving instructor, sat beside Kate in the Jackal 2.
He drove her to a troop hide, then let her take the controls to drive them back to where they started.
He said afterwards: "She was a natural.
"She drives a Land Rover back at home - I told her it's exactly the same, just take it slowly and go back to where we started off from.
"She was enjoying every bit of the journey itself.
"It's different from what she's driving, it's a bigger vehicle."
Kate also met with service members and their families, awarding medals to several of them during the visit.
Kate Ormston, 31, whose 38-year-old husband Staff Sergeant Paul Ormston is attached to the regiment, was with their two children Joey, 10, and six-year-old Jackson when she spoke to the princess.
She said: "It was really exciting.
"She asked about Army life and my husband being deployed, and just generally she was just really down to earth and friendly, it was really nice.
"She spoke to everyone individually, she introduced herself to the children and asked their names and ages which was really nice.
"I think they were a little bit overwhelmed as well."
The Queen's Dragoon Guards have been part of Britain's armed forces for hundreds of years, with roots from before the official formation of the British Army in 1707.
The regiment has been based near Swanton Morley in 2015.