King Charles has issued a stark warning about “global uncertainty” in a new address at Windsor Castle.
The 76-year-old monarch was speaking at the Household Cavalry new Standards Parade alongside his sister Princess Anne.
Addressing the amassed regiments and wearing full military dress, the King spoke of their importance “at such a time of global uncertainty”.
King Charles addressed the Household Cavalry new Standards Parade on Monday.
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“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 continued.
The King praised that the Standards were emblazoned with: “The battle honours earned by the blood, toil, tears and sweat of soldiers past, they are the embodied soul of the Regiment.”
His words most likely referenced the instability across the world, with major conflicts between Russia and Ukarine, Israel in Gaza and continued broiling tensions between India and Pakistan blighting the globe.
At Monday's event, Charles and the Princess Royal inspected the parade alongside Lieutenant General Sir Edward Smyth-Osbourne, Colonel of The Life Guards.
The King warned of 'global uncertainty' in his speech.
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The Household Cavalry, of which The King is Colonel-in-Chief, comprises the two most senior regiments in the British Army: The Life Guards and The Blues and Royals – the latter of which Princess Anne serves as colonel.
Since 1660, these soldiers have served as the Monarch's trusted guardians. They also represent the public face of the British Army both at home and abroad.
The King also paid tribute to this duty of long service, celebrating the regiments operations in the decades following World War Two.
“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,” Charles praised.
Charles observed the consecration of the Standards before they were presented to him.
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“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,” the monarch added.
During the ceremony, the new Union Standards were placed upon silver kettle drums at the centre of the parade.
The Chaplain General consecrated the Standards before they were presented to The King.
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Princess Anne, who serves as colonel The Blues and Royals, was also present at the ceremony.
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The new Standards are made from silk damask with gold and silver embroidery.
They will be used routinely by the regiments wherever they are based.
The ceremony concluded with a Royal Fanfare and the parade march past.
Today's ceremony follows the Household Cavalry's receipt of their Sovereign's Standards from The King in April 2023, shortly before His Coronation.
