King Charles reunited with his old shipmates from his naval days this afternoon, as he hosted a private reception at Buckingham Palace. Charles, 76, was said to be “greatly looking forward” to the gathering that he personally funded and wanted to thank them for their “continued loyalty, laughter and support” over the decades.
Over 400 guests were invited to the Palace on Wednesday afternoon, including previous shipmates and their partners from H.M. Ships Bronington, Jupiter, Norfolk, Hermione, Minerva, Hermes, Dryad, Fox, and Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth. Fellow aviators drawn from 845 Naval Air Squadron and across the Fleet Air Arm were also present.
The King served in the Royal Navy between 1971 and 1976, following in the footsteps of his father, grandfather and both great-grandfathers.
Aged 22, he began as an acting sub-lieutenant before being posted to the guided missile destroyer HMS Norfolk, and then to the frigates HMS Minerva and HMS Jupiter.
During his career he experienced life at sea during the Cold War, became a gunnery officer and qualified as a helicopter pilot.
His final post saw him become the Commanding Officer of ton-class minesweeper HMS Bronington.
The event was organised at the personal request of the King, and the costs came out of his own funds.
There will also be 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.
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.”
It’s not the first time the King has held a reunion for his former Navy crew, having hosted events in 2011 and attended other reunion events.
Ahead of the King’s Coronation in May 2023, his former shipmates reflected on the monarch’s time in the Navy, with Rear Admiral Clare saying he was “privileged to be his second in command” and called Charles “a fine example of a leader who cares”.
Clare was Charles’ right-hand man on HMS Bronington and said: “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.”
Other shipmates recalled the King’s wicked sense of humour and that he was occasionally struck down by sea sickness.