A new photo of the King was released today to mark Armed Forces Day, as Queen Camilla thanked the military for how they “support and strengthen our nation”.
The portrait of Charles III was taken by photographer Hugo Burnand in the Great Hall of Windsor Castle in November last year and shows him wearing his ceremonial No. 1 Field Marshal’s frock coat complete with medals, sword and decorations.
Buckingham Palace also released a video of Camilla today, thanking veterans, serving members of the Armed Forces and their families. Additionally, she paid tribute to the military for ‘all they do to protect this country of ours.’
Camilla described the Armed Forces as a “source of inspiration, reassurance and pride”. Her message was filmed in the morning room at Clarence House and produced by the British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS), of which she is patron.
Notably, Camilla is taking on a bigger role on Armed Forces Day this year, as her husband continues his cancer treatment following his diagnosis in February.
Last year, on Armed Forces Day, the King’s first as Commander-in-Chief, he wrote a letter paying tribute to the “selfless service and sacrifice” of British troops.
A new photograph of King Charles III, released today to mark Armed Forces Day, was taken by photographer Hugo Burnand in the Grand Corridor at Windsor Castle in November last year.
Buckingham Palace also released a video message from Queen Camilla today, thanking veterans, serving members of the Armed Forces and their families for their service.
In today’s new photo, Charles was wearing the collar of the Most Noble Order of the Garter with the Sovereign’s Grand George, as well as the sash of the Royal Victorian Order.
He also held the Star of the Order of the Garter and the Star of the Order of the Thistle along with the Order of Merit, the Victorian Royal Chain, the insignia of the Sovereign of the Most Honorable Order of the Bath and a Medal Bar.
On the table, His Majesty’s field marshal’s cap could be seen along with a pair of white gloves and the field marshal’s baton.
As for Camilla, she was wearing her Royal Lancers brooch, the regiment in which her father, Major Bruce Shand, served and of which she is Colonel-in-Chief.
On the table next to the Queen is a photograph of the King taken in the garden of Clarence House, where he is wearing his Royal Navy uniform as Admiral of the Fleet.
Also on display was a photograph of Camilla’s parents, Major Bruce Shand and Rosalind Cubitt, taken at St Paul’s Church in Knightsbridge, London, on their wedding day, 2 January 1946.
In her message to the military, the Queen said she was “deeply honored to join you all on Armed Forces Day”.
He added: ‘Whether at home or abroad, we celebrate the service of the men and women of our military and thank them all for all they do to protect this country of ours.
“We also remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for stability and peace around the world.”
Camilla then spoke about how she was in Normandy with the King on the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
She said: ‘We were reminded of the incredible bravery of the Allied land, sea and air forces, whose combined efforts achieved the liberation of Western Europe and to whom we will be forever indebted.
Camilla added: ‘Eight decades later, I know that the same spirit and those same qualities are still very much in evidence in our Armed Forces, as they carry out their duties in the face of a multitude of challenges and dangers.
“In doing so, you are not only protecting these islands, but also defending freedoms far beyond these shores. Your determination, your tireless efforts and your selfless loyalty to each other and to the United Kingdom are as enduring as our gratitude.”
He also paid tribute to the families who “keep the home fire alive” while members of the military are deployed overseas.
Camilla continued: ‘As the proud daughter of an Army officer, I know something of the impact military life has on your loved ones – you are heroes too.
On the table is a photograph of Camilla’s parents, Major Bruce Shand and Rosalind Cubitt, taken at St Paul’s Church in Knightsbridge, London, on their wedding day, 2 January 1946.
Camilla has paid tribute to the military for “everything they do to protect this country of ours”
Also on the table next to the Queen is a photograph of her husband, the King, taken in the garden of Clarence House, where he is wearing his Royal Navy uniform as Admiral of the Fleet.
‘In times of war and peace, visible or invisible, our Armed Forces support and strengthen our nation. You are a source of inspiration, peace of mind and pride, and I salute you all.’
Camilla was referring to her father, Major Shand, whose medals include the Military Cross and Bar.
The Military Cross is an operational gallantry award awarded to all ranks of the services in recognition of exemplary gallantry during active operations against the enemy on the ground.
Personnel who perform an additional act of such bravery as to merit a second Military Cross are awarded a silver bar adorned with the wreath.
These were awarded during the Second World War to Major Shand in 1940, for his actions in France; and in 1942, for his actions in North Africa.
Armed Forces Day is intended to be an annual celebration of personnel, military families, veterans and cadets of the Armed Forces community.
It also marks the culmination of a week of celebrations, which began on Monday, when the public shows its support and appreciation for the Armed Forces.
Queen Camilla spoke today about her presence at the 80th anniversary of the D-Day commemorations in Normandy. She is pictured on June 6 with King Charles III, Emmanual and Brigitte Macron.
King Charles III speaks with D-Day veteran Peter Newton, 99, during a lunch following the UK’s national commemoration event for the 80th anniversary of D-Day in Normandy on June 6.
King Charles and Camilla at the event in Normandy to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day on June 6
As for the BFBS, it is a military and media charity that supports the Armed Forces community around the world with morale-boosting television, radio, film, digital media and news content.
Camilla became a patron of the BFBS in 2021 when she was Duchess of Cornwall.
It comes after Prince Harry urged grieving children and young people to talk about their emotions in a new video on grief released earlier this week.
The clip was released on the eve of Armed Forces Day to highlight the ongoing needs of bereaved military children in the UK.
Harry, who was speaking in his role as global ambassador for Scotty’s Little Soldiers, which supports young people who have lost their parents in the military, shared his own experience after losing his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, aged just 12.
“It’s so easy as a kid to think or convince yourself… you convince yourself that the person you’ve lost loves you, or you need to be sad as long as possible to show them that you miss them,” she said.
“But then I realize that no, they must want me to be happy.”
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