King Charles expressed his concern about “uncertainty” during a formal appearance at Windsor Castle, alongside his sister, Princess Anne.
The 76-year-old king spoke to troops on Monday, May 12, during a ceremony where new standards were presented to The Life Guards and the Blues and Royals.
The Standards, which are held in the highest regard, represent the history, accomplishments, and identity of the Cavalry Squadrons. However, during the ceremony at Windsor, King Charles emphasized the “crucial importance” of the regiments, given the larger global context.
King Charles’ words at Windsor Castle
The monarch and Princess Royal, 74, were present at the Household Cavalry New Standards Parade, with King Charles as Colonel in Chief of the Household Cavalry and Princess Anne as Colonel of The Blues and Royals.
They both took part in inspecting the Parade before the Standards were presented. The Standards were also consecrated, with King Charles receiving them on the dais in the Quadrangle at Windsor Castle. Following this, a Royal Salute was given, followed by the National Anthem.
In full military dress, both Princess Anne and her brother stood as King Charles addressed the regiments, saying:
“The Household Cavalry is renowned worldwide for the splendours of all those unique ceremonies at the heart of the nation, and today, seeing you all on parade here, I can see you continue to represent the very best of that ceremonial brilliance.”
At a time of global uncertainty, he went on to explain why it’s so important to uphold the military’s reputation to the highest standard, possibly alluding to worldwide conflicts as he mentioned “at such a time of global uncertainty.”
King Charles added:
“It is of crucial importance to preserve the attributes of excellence and achievement for which you are famous, and which are symbolised by these Standards.”
He concluded his tribute by saying:
“The battle honours earned by the blood, toil, tears and sweat of soldiers past. They are the embodied soul of the Regiment.”
What else did the king say in his speech?
King Charles also spoke highly of the history of the regiments, which have been serving the monarch since 1660. He specifically highlighted their achievements in the years following World War Two.
He praised them, saying: “From the Canal Zone, through Malaysia, Northern Ireland, the Falklands, the Gulf, the Balkans, Afghanistan and, more recently, on duty with the United Nations in Cyprus and with Nato in Kosovo.
“You now field modern armour and train not with swords and axes but with snipers and drones. Such substantive historic and recent experience underpins everything which makes the Household Division so special, and credible, in the United Kingdom, among our Allies and around the world.”
Does King Charles own Windsor Castle?
In recent years, King Charles’ personal fortune has been estimated at around £2 billion. Additionally, reports suggest his property interests could be worth as much as £330 million.
While King Charles has access to many palaces and royal residences, most of them are not actually owned by him. For instance, Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palace are owned by the sovereign in right of the crown.
Although he inherited the Balmoral and Sandringham estates from his late mother, he doesn’t own Windsor Castle. It belongs to the Crown, not to Charles personally.
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