PICTURES: Prince of Wales visits Bulford based soldiers

William's been spending time with the Mercian Regiment

Author: Faye TryhornPublished 24th Nov 2023

The Prince of Wales has been visiting Bulford, in his role as the new Colonel-in-Chief of the 1st Battalion the Mercian Regiment.

William's got hands-on during his visit - throwing smoke grenades from a Warrior armoured vehicle during a simulated attack on an enemy position.

The Prince took up the gunner seat in a Warrior armoured vehicle during the visit to Bulford based troops

His Royal Highness took the gunner position on the infantry fighting vehicle on Salisbury Plain.

The Regiment's posted on social media about how they were 'pleased to welcome' William.

One of the soldiers who took part in the exercise explained what the prince would have been engaged in.

Sergeant Mark Kirton, 31, who was the section commander for the troops taking part in the ground assault on the enemy position, said William was 'very excited' by the exercise:

"His Royal Highness was in the gunner seat of the vehicle I was travelling in and he also came to sit on orders with myself. I gave the lads orders for what was going to happen at each point of the operation.

William dressed in military fatigues for the visit, with troops saying he seemed to enjoy his time on a mock exercise

"He was operating weapons systems on the Warrior, and he was also throwing smoke to create a screen for the troops moving through the wood.

"In his new role as colonel-in-chief of the regiment, he will realise what we do as a unit as we are infantry but also using the vehicles.

"The prince was listening to the orders I was giving as I briefed the lads.

"From what I saw, I think he felt very excited when he saw all the smoke and the bangs going off, so hopefully he enjoyed it!"

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