King Charles looked very happy today when he arrived by helicopter on the Royal Navy’s main aircraft carrier. The carrier is getting ready to be sent to the other side of the world.
The 76-year-old king landed on HMS Prince of Wales in the English Channel. He spoke to the sailors there and thanked them sincerely for their hard work before they start important activities in the Indo-Pacific.
Charles was there as the Commodore-in-Chief, Aircraft Carriers. He was dressed neatly in his uniform and smiled while talking to the Royal Navy members during the event.
Speaking to the crew, Charles said pointedly: ‘This Ship represents a powerful emblem of the skill, ingenuity and strength of the Royal Navy, and of the United Kingdom’s enduring dedication to promoting and protecting peace and stability across the world.
‘I can only say that I take immense pride in you – the men and women who bring this vessel to life with such indomitable spirit – for your vital service on behalf of us all.’
The visit comes as the navy finalises preparations for the £3 billion vessel to go on a global deployment to Japan this spring.
Charles was seen touring the 65,000-tonne warship and watched F-35B Lightning jets operating from the flight deck.
This area will be home to fighters, helicopters and drones during the global deployment of the warship.
The Royal Family’s official X account also posted some snaps of Charles from almost 50 years ago, when he flew in a jet to an aircraft carrier.
It stated: ‘Almost 50 years ago, in 1977, The King, as Prince of Wales, flew in a Buccaneer jet to HMS Ark Royal from Royal Navy Air Station Yeovilton.
‘Today, His Majesty recalled the experience whilst aboard HMS Prince of Wales at sea, where he saw F-35B Lightning jets operating from the flight deck.’
The images, which were printed in black and white, were of Charles when he was around 29 years old and were taken the year he met Princess Diana.
The young King, who was then the Prince of Wales, is wearing a helmet and flight gear on the ship as he looks up towards the sky.
In a second picture, Charles was snapped chatting to another marine from inside the Buccaneer jet, which had ‘HRH Prince of Wales,’ printed along the side.
At the time, he sat in the rear seat while Commander Tony Morton piloted the aircraft.
During his visit on Tuesday afternoon, Charles travelled from Sandringham by Royal Navy Merlin helicopter and was joined by the First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Ben Key, the head of the Royal Navy, and chief of the Royal Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton.
His mother, Queen Elizabeth, undertook a similar engagement when she was monarch, visiting aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth in Portsmouth in 2021.
Similar to HMS Prince of Wales, the flagship then deployed on a global mission.
The Queen was the last reigning monarch to visit a Royal Navy warship at sea, after she travelled in HMS Brocklesby, making the short trip from Rosyth to Leith, escorted by HMS Maxton, in 1988 with Prince Philip.
The King told told personnel gathered in the hangar: ‘I just wanted to express, on behalf of the nation, my heartfelt gratitude for the extraordinarily valuable contributions and personal sacrifices that you and your families continue to make in the name of duty.
‘Your deployment in the next month comes amidst new challenges in a ever-changing and more unpredictable world; it will undoubtedly demand tenacity and determination, both at sea and for those you leave behind at home.
‘Whether protecting vital shipping lanes, fostering partnerships with our allies, or indeed remaining alert and at readiness for eventualities that we hope may never come to pass, your work helps to ensure the safety and prosperity of the United Kingdom, our allies and our partners.
‘This deployment marks the culmination of a great deal of training and preparation, for which you should all be proud.’
The ship’s Commanding Officer, Captain Will Blackett, said: ‘It was a great honour to host His Majesty onboard today.
‘I was able to show him first hand that HMS Prince of Wales is at high readiness, standing by to deliver for the UK when ordered.
‘His visit was a great source of morale for my excellent ship’s company and we look forward to doing him proud in all our endeavours this year.’
Able Seaman Marc Rutherford, who met the King on the ship’s bridge, added: ‘It was the proudest day of my life since joining the Royal Navy, I’m still in shock.’
The King served in the Royal Navy between 1971 and 1976, with former clearance diver Petty Officer John Friar revealing that Charles got ‘very seasick’.
However, he said that the royal was ‘without doubt, the best ship handler by far. Believe me, if he had been rubbish, I would say so.’
This comes as Charles gave a warm welcome to Canada’s prime minister Justin Trudeau at Sandringham on Monday.
The King’s latest embrace of a world leader came today, 24 hours after being hailed for showing solidarity to Ukraine’s President Zelensky.
Sources told the Mail yesterday not to underestimate the significance of the meeting between the monarch and Mr Trudeau at his private Norfolk estate.
The Canadian leader had made clear before the meeting that he wanted to discuss matters of importance to Canadians with the monarch.
He said: ‘Nothing seems more important to Canadians right now than standing up for our sovereignty and our independence as a nation.’
Charles appeared to give a hearty laugh as Mr Trudeau gestured towards him with a pointed figure and shook the monarch’s hand.
The Canadian PM also clasped the King’s hand in both of his in a demonstration of the ease of their relationship as the pair met in the saloon at the royal property Sandringham House in Norfolk.
While Buckingham Palace declined to comment, a well-placed source told the Mail: ‘As is often the case with the Royal Family’s role, the pictures speak for themselves.’
