King Charles and Prince William visit Hampshire
His Majesty and his son have been at the Army Air Corps aviation centre in Middle Wallop today (13th May)
Last updated 14th May 2024
The King has officially handed over the role of Colonel-in-Chief of the Hampshire based Army Air Corps to the Prince of Wales during a visit to its base.
Charles - who became the inaugural holder of the title 32 years ago - met with his eldest son in a rare joint official engagement at Middle Wallop this lunchtime (Monday 13th May) to transfer the role.
The King said it was a "great joy" to meet servicemen, their families and veterans at an earlier visit to the Army Flying Museum at the base.
He unveiled a plaque commemorating an Apache AH Mk.1 going on display, the first of its kind to be installed at a UK museum.
The aircraft was one of four involved in a rescue mission during the Battle of Jugroom Fort in 2007.
Joy
His Majesty said: "Let me just say what a great joy it is to be with you even briefly on this occasion but also it is tinged with great sadness after 32 years of knowing you all, admiring your many activities and achievements through the time that I've been lucky enough to be Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps."
General Nick Barton, who took part in the rescue operation, said it was a "unique honour" to meet the King who served as an important "figurehead" for the soldiers.
The Army Air Corps is the Duke of Sussex's old unit, in which he served as an Apache helicopter commander and co-pilot gunner during his second tour to Afghanistan in 2012.
The King's decision to hand the role to William was seen as a blow to Harry when it was announced last year.
The duke had been thought the most likely candidate to take on the honour one day if he had remained a working royal.
Charles spoke to one veteran who had previously undergone chemotherapy for testicular cancer, discussing losing the sense of taste as a result of the treatment.
William has also been receiving a briefing on the Army Air Corps' work, inspecting training and operational aircraft, as well as talking to soldiers.
He will then leave the base in an Apache as part of a capability flight.
The King trained with the RAF while in his second year at the University of Cambridge and was given his wings in August 1971.
William served in the Army with the Blues and Royals and was an RAF search and rescue pilot for three years at RAF Valley in Anglesey, Wales.