King Charles III, formerly the Prince of Wales, ascended the throne after the Queen’s death on Thursday. The immediate aftermath will be a time during which Charles assumes his new duties while mourning his beloved mother.
Before becoming a full-time working member of the Royal Family, the new head of the Commonwealth had continued a generations-old family tradition by serving in the military, as the Express reports. The King has previously been seen donning several medals and decorations, notably during Prince Philip’s funeral last year.
During his second year studying at Cambridge University, Charles received Royal Air Force (RAF) training. In 1971, after his investiture as the Prince of Wales, he trained as an RAF jet pilot in Cranwell, Lincolnshire.
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He then enrolled for a six-week course in the Britannia Royal Naval College Dartmouth, going on to begin his naval military service on the guided-missile destroyer HMS Norfolk. From 1972 to 1974, he served on HMS Minerva while he also served on HMS Jupiter in 1974.
After adding a qualification as a helicopter pilot to his repertoire, then-Prince Charles joined the 845 Naval Air Squadron aboard the HMS Hermes. In February 1976, he was given command of the coastal minehunter HMS Bronington, continuing in this post for 10 months.
Ending his military service that same year, his severance pay was used to launch The Prince’s Trust - a charity dedicated to funding community initiatives aimed at supporting disadvantaged youth. His post-military life didn’t stop the former Prince of Wales flying, although his occasional flights did cease after crashing the BAe 146 in the Hebrides in 1994.
What medals does King Charles III wear?
King Charles’ military uniform is emblazoned with all sorts of medals and other decorations, despite not seeing combat during his time in the military. Although never called for action, he still trained vigorously with the members of units to which he was attached, additionally training in undersea warfare and completing the parachute regiment’s jump training at an age, 30, much older than the average recruit.
Rather than medals in combat, Charles instead wears the appropriate regalia, such as the Order of Merit, the Order of the Bath, and the Queen’s Service Order, all for service to the country and the Commonwealth. Other decorations include medals related to the Queen herself, notably the Queen’s Coronation medal and various Jubilee medals.
He also wears the Order of the Garter, awarded by the Queen herself, which is the most prestigious British order of chivalry. Further awards were given from Canada and New Zealand, while he has also donned the Order of the Thistle star.
Both Charles’ father, Prince Philip, and his sons, Princes William and Harry, also served in the military, with it being tradition for men in the Royal Family to serve.
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