The King has paid tribute to the ‘professionalism, courage and humour’ of the Irish Guards ahead of the regiment’s leading role in Trooping the Color this Saturday.
Charles’ words of praise came as he presented new colors to Nos 9 and 12 Companies, Irish Guards, at today’s Windsor Castle. The Irish Guards are the regiment of which the Princess of Wales’ son-in-law became Colonel last year.
The King highlighted the regiment’s efforts during the Covid pandemic and its ‘important work to fight terrorism in Iraq and improve security across Africa’.
The 75-year-old king recently returned to public duties while still receiving treatment for an undisclosed cancer.
Charles is not standing on Kate now – because he is the Colonel-in-Chief of the seven regiments of the Household Guards, including the Irish Guards, and the presentation of the new colors is by convention done by the Colonel-in-Chief.
King Charles III inspects the Irish Guards during a ceremony at Windsor Castle this afternoon
King Charles III inspects the Irish Guards during a ceremony at Windsor Castle this afternoon
King Charles III meets guests after the ceremony at Windsor Castle this evening
King Charles III inspects the Irish Guards during a ceremony at Windsor Castle this evening
England’s King Charles III delivers a speech during a ceremony at Windsor Castle today
In a symbolic ceremony today, the King touched the new flags – the King’s Colors and the Regimental Colors – marking their special status as the ‘soul of the regiment’ after they were consecrated by the Chaplain General of the Army Michael Parker.
The King’s Color will be paraded by Number 9 Company, Irish Guards, during this Saturday’s Trooping the Color ceremony, the official birthday celebration of the king.
During a ceremony in the quadrangle of Windsor Castle, the King said: ‘In recent years the regiment has continued to serve with distinction.
“Around the world, your achievements include important work to fight terrorism in Iraq and strengthening security across Africa by providing high-quality training teams to work with local forces.
‘At home, you played a key role in helping civil authorities during the Covid pandemic and, just last year, training Ukrainian forces to defend their homeland.
‘I had the privilege of seeing the impressive results of this last work for myself, when I visited Knook Camp, on Salisbury Plain.
‘In this ever-changing world, it is no exaggeration that all regiments find a major role in the defense contribution to the many challenges society has to face.
‘In all this, you bring to the task a combination of professionalism, courage and humor which always marked out Irish Guardsmen.’
King Charles III inspects the Irish Guards during a ceremony at Windsor Castle this evening
The new colors were blessed in front of King Charles III at Windsor Castle today
King Charles III inspects the Irish Guards during a ceremony at Windsor Castle this afternoon
King Charles III stood guard during a ceremony at Windsor Castle this evening
King Charles III inspects the Irish Guards during a ceremony at Windsor Castle this afternoon
Soldiers of the Irish Guard stand guard with new colors at Windsor Castle today
King Charles III inspects the Irish Guards during a ceremony at Windsor Castle this afternoon
In March 2023, Kate took over the role of Colonel of the Irish Guards from Prince William’s wife.
The Princess sent a letter to the regiment to apologize for not being able to take the salute and to wish her well for the Colonel’s Review – the final rehearsal for the King’s birthday parade – in London last Saturday, June 8.
Kate, who is undergoing chemotherapy after being diagnosed with cancer, said she was proud and added that the Colonel ‘remains honoured’.
The Princess was represented at the Colonel’s Review by General James Bucknall, who was chief inspection officer on the day in the Princess’s absence.
The colors – emblazoned with regimental insignia and battle honors – were originally used as rallying points for troops on the battlefield.
King Charles III inspects the Irish Guards during a ceremony at Windsor Castle this afternoon
King Charles III inspects the Irish Guards during a ceremony at Windsor Castle this afternoon
The Irish Guards Band, led by the Regimental Mascot of the Irish Guards, an Irish wolfhound named Seamus (Turlough Mor) marched before King Charles presented his new colors today.
Soldiers from the Irish Guards hold up the new colors at Windsor Castle this afternoon
The Band of the Irish Guard marched at Windsor Castle today ahead of the arrival of King Charles
The Band of the Irish Guard marched at Windsor Castle today ahead of the arrival of King Charles
The Band of the Irish Guard marched at Windsor Castle today ahead of the arrival of King Charles
The Band of the Irish Guard marched at Windsor Castle today ahead of the arrival of King Charles
Members of the public watched the ceremony at Windsor Castle today
They still accompany soldiers in operations and, more obviously, in ceremonial duties.
The presentation of the new colors to No 9 and No 12 Companies began today with the Band of the Irish Guard marching into Windsor Castle.
They are led by the mascot of the Irish Guards regiment – an Irish wolfhound named Turlough Mor but known as Seamus.
This Saturday, the King will be accompanied by the Lieutenant Colonel of the Irish Guards Regiment, Major General Sir Christopher Ghika KCVO CBE.
There will be a royal salute and the national anthem.
During the Colonel’s Review last Saturday, Seamus was led across the square by a red-coated drummer. The dog was handed over to the regiment as the soldiers lined up.
Troops take part in the Colonel’s Review at Horse Guards Parade in London on June 8
Troops of the Household Division took part in the Major’s Brigade Review in London on 30 May
2023 — (From left) Prince George, Kate, Prince Louis, Prince William, Princess Charlotte, King Charles and Queen Camilla at Buckingham Palace for Trooping the Color on June 17 last year
2022 — William, Kate and their children attend Trooping the Color in London on June 2, 2022
2019 — William and Kate at Trooping the Color with their children in London on June 8, 2019
Field Officer in the Brigade Waiting Lieutenant Colonel James Coleby shouted a message to his regiment as he rode a white horse named Onyx.
A mock-up of the royal carriage, emulating the one that will hold the King in a week’s time, arrived at the Horse Guards Parade in time to reach the saluting base at exactly 11am.
A royal welcome was given and the national anthem was played in full. The Calvary household and the Mountain Band processed around the square with carts.
The horses walked in pairs in front and behind the carriage, with two divisions in front and two behind before the group finally filed for march and descended the mall to prepare for the 41-gun mock firing, which will take place this Saturday. .
A total of 250 musicians, 20 pipers, 240 military workhorses and nearly 1,000 dual-role soldiers from the British Army’s Household Division took part in the event last Saturday.
