To all those deployed: King Charles writes heartfelt letter to Royal Artillery this Christmas

King Charles III has written to personnel from the Royal Artillery who are deployed this Christmas period or unable to be with their family and friends.

As the regiment's Captain General, a role he succeeds from his mother, the King said he knew this was a "particularly difficult time to be separated from the ones you love".

He said their "sacrifice to our nation deserves enormous admiration and gratitude".

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The letter, which was shared by the Royal Artillery on social media, was signed by the King himself.

He wished those on operations a "safe" deployment, which he underlined in ink.

The King wrote: "Whilst many start to gather with their families, I know that it is a particularly difficult time to be separated from the ones you love. All I can say is that your service to our Nation deserves enormous admiration and gratitude as you carry out your vital tasks across the globe.

"This comes with countless good wishes for a successful and, of equal importance, safe, deployment - and a very Happy Christmas to you all."

B Battery Royal Horse Artillery is one such unit that will be away for Christmas, being currently deployed in Estonia as part of Operation Cabrit.

The Gunners enjoy a close relationship with the monarch and each year Royal Artillery regiments across the nation fire Birthday salutes to mark the King's special day. 

King Charles' post of Captain General was previously known as Colonel-in-Chief until King George VI expressed his desire to change the name.