King Charles, who is now the armed foreces Commander in Chief, held a special private reception at Buckingham Palace today for his old shipmates who he served with in the Royal Navy
The King has welcomed to Buckingham Palace his old shipmates to celebrate their time in the Royal Navy. The special private reception for 400 guests organised by the King included previous shipmates and their partners from H.M. Ships Bronington, Jupiter, Norfolk, Hermione, Minerva, Hermes, Dryad, Fox, and Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth.
Charles also invited fellow aviators drawn from 845 Naval Air Squadron and across the Fleet Air Arm and a contingent of from H.M.Y. Britannia and representatives from HMK’s patronages The White Ensign Association, The Royal Navy Club of 1765 and 1785, The Royal Naval Benevolent Trust and the Association of Royal Naval Officers. This event was a personal request from the King and unusually funded by himself privately, with no media present.
The King served in both the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force in the 1970s and since leaving active service has maintained a close relationship with the armed forces. As monarch he is now its Commander in Chief. He served in the Royal Navy between 1971 and 1976 – rising from rookie sub-lieutenant fresh out of Britannia to command of a minesweeper.
On the eve of the King’s Coronation in 2023, those who served with the then (Sub) Lieutenant Wales shared their memories, calling him: “A fine leader filled with humanity, humour and a keen sense of duty.” The then Prince of Wales also tried his hand at submarine escape, qualified as a helicopter pilot, took on some of the Royal Marines’ commando training and earned his spurs as a ship handler.
He also represented the late Queen Elizabeth II abroad on official duties while still serving. Former clearance diver Petty Officer John Friar served in seven ships, five of them small Ton-class minesweepers, including HMS Bronington which the future monarch commanded for most of 1976.
Before the King’s Coronation, he told Forces News how the former Lieutenant Wales was “without doubt, the best ship handler by far. Believe me, if he had been rubbish, I would say so. He was not a good sailor in that he got very seasick, but then again, so did Nelson.”
Lieutenant Roy Clare, the future captain of HMS Invincible and rear admiral, served as Bronington’s second-in-command, and the then Prince Charles’ right-hand man. He also described the King as “a model of leadership”. He told the newspaper: “He was apt to go around the ship, talk to people, hear their stories, share moments with them – as a good commanding officer should.
“He was a good leader, really good at understanding that it’s not about ‘top down and telling’, but listening, helping people to be the strongest they can.”
Before the party, an aide to The King said: “His Majesty was greatly looking forward to seeing his old shipmates and no doubt sharing a few salty tales on the trip down memory sea-lane.
“He is most grateful for their continued loyalty, laughter and support over the decades, and looked forward to hearing where life’s journeys had taken them all.
“As we approach the 50th anniversary of The King’s Trust, which was initially funded with His Majesty’s £7,400 severance pay from the Navy, it was a timely opportunity to reflect on what great things have sprung from those formative years – including lifelong friendships and a continued commitment to public service.”