Annual review 2006 - The Prince of Wales

THE ARMED SERVICES
The Prince of Wales’s relationship with the Armed Services
is based on four themes: promoting the role of the
Forces within national life, through operational visits and
ceremonial duties; focusing on the professionalism and
excellence of training; supporting the welfare of service
personnel and their families; and helping to maintain the
history and heritage of the Services through regimental
links and veterans groups.
The Prince’s commitment to the Armed Services is matched by that of his
wife and his sons. The Duchess of Cornwall joined His Royal Highness on
almost all of his military engagements during the year, and in February 2006
she expressed her delight and honour at The Queen’s appointment of
Her Royal Highness as Royal Colonel of the new 4th Battalion The Rifl es.
During the year, Prince Harry and Prince William embarked on a period
in the Armed Forces when they trained at the Royal Military Academy
Sandhurst. Prince Harry completed his training in April 2006 and was
commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Household Cavalry’s Blues and
Royals Regiment. Prince William is due to fi nish his training at Sandhurst
in December 2006.
ABOVE
The Prince of Wales and The Duchess
unveil the new monument to the
Battle of Britain.
“ Yours is such a special
generation – stoical, loyal,
indefatigable and dutiful.
You have been the bedrock
of this country for all these
years and it will not be the
same without you. We salute
you with all our hearts.”
The Prince of Wales, 2005
Reception for Burma veterans at Westminster Hall
If there was an overriding military theme in 2005-06 it was the commemoration
of the service and sacrifi ce of Armed Forces veterans, particularly those who
fought in the Second World War. During the year, The Prince and The Duchess
attended a number of events marking the 60th anniversary of VE and VJ Days,
including the national commemoration of the end of the war, held at Horse
Guards Parade in London in July, and a reception for veterans which
Their Royal Highnesses hosted at Buckingham Palace in the same month.
The 200 veterans who attended the reception were all former members of
regiments and units associated with The Prince of Wales.
It was at another reception for veterans, held in August 2005 by the
Burma Star Association at Westminster Hall, that His Royal Highness spoke
of the enormous debt owed to those who fought for freedom during the war.
Addressing the veterans, he said: “Yours is such a special generation –
stoical, loyal, indefatigable and dutiful. You have been the bedrock of this
country for all these years and it will not be the same without you. We salute
you with all our hearts.”
Veterans from the wartime generation were also present when The Prince
and The Duchess carried out the inspection of Chelsea Pensioners during
the annual Founder’s Day Parade in June 2005. Around 300 of the
ex-servicemen assembled in Figure Court at the Royal Hospital, Chelsea,
in London, for the parade; between them they represented more than
10,000 years of service to their country. Servicemen and women currently
serving in the military also received visits from Their Royal Highnesses
during the year, among them soldiers embarking on, or returning from,
tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan.
16 | ANNUAL REVIEW 2006