Why Royal Marines always wanted to fly in the King's Wessex helicopter 

As Prince of Wales, King Charles served as a helicopter pilot alongside Royal Marines on board HMS Hermes, flying missions in the West Atlantic, the West Indies and Canada.

His Majesty was part of 845 Naval Air Squadron, where his piloting skills were in high demand.

Charles's Wessex helicopter was the most popular on board, with Royal Marines rushing to queue to fly in it.

• King Charles III: A look at the Commander-in-Chief's time in the forces
• In pictures: King Charles' military career
• King speaks of his 'intense pride' as he presents new Colours and Standards

As part of their amphibious operations, Royal Marines would embark on helicopters stationed aboard the aircraft carrier HMS Hermes.

The helicopters would have to move an entire company of marines, known as a "company lift of helicopters", which is around 120 marines, to their target destination. 

When it came to boarding the helicopters, according to Admiral Lord West, Former First Sea Lord, there was "a bit of a problem".

"There was always a bit of a queue of marines who wanted to go in his [Majesty's] helicopter because, even though they wouldn't say so, there's no doubt whatsoever it was absolutely better maintained than any other helicopter on board, which I could understand," Adm Lord West explained.

"And Royal Marines aren't stupid, and we had to make sure that they weren't allowed to go and pick his to go in.

"Otherwise, there'd been a big queue for that and not the other ones," he added.

To give credit to the King, he was also an excellent pilot.

Early in his career in the Royal Navy, the King completed training at the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines in Lympstone, Devon, where he qualified as a helicopter pilot.

During his training, the King earned the 'Double Diamond' trophy as best pilot, clocking up 105 hours in the cockpit of a Wessex Mk5 helicopter on 707 Naval Air Squadron.

"He loved flying, as indeed all the Royal Family seem to love flying," said Admiral Lord West.

King Charles also came from a long line of Royal Navy officers. In 1972, when the King joined the Navy, he was following in the footsteps of his father, grandfather and both his great-grandfathers. 

The King holds the honorary rank of Admiral of the Fleet in the Royal Navy.

He also became the Commander-in-Chief of the UK Armed Forces after the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, in September 2022.