Princess Royal shows she knows her regimental history – and it's simply Glorious!

The Princess Royal gave an impromptu history lesson to senior Army officers as she opened a new accommodation block named after a war hero.

Princess Anne visited Imjin Barracks in Gloucestershire to unveil the block dedicated to Colonel James Carne, a hero of the Korean War.

Col Carne had been the commanding officer of the 1st Battalion, the Gloucestershire Regiment during the Korean War in 1951.

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At the River Imjin, the battalion fought hard before being overrun by Chinese forces – winning the nickname the Glorious Glosters and earning Col Carne the Victoria Cross.

The newly dedicated officers' quarters stand as a tribute to his bravery and the sacrifices of those who served alongside him.

Accompanied by Lieutenant General Sir Ralph Wooddisse, commander of the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps (ARRC), Princess Anne toured the new living quarters, taking an interest in the historical significance of the occasion.

After unveiling the plaque, Anne asked Sir Ralph: "Is there an explanation here of the name?"

When told there was not, she replied: "It seems very relevant to Gloucestershire, and I was at a reception the other day for Korean veterans.

"Funnily enough, when I went to Korea the first time, they took me out to the Glosters memorial.

"As it happens, I think it is much more relevant to go and see the territory and terrain that they had to fight in. It was horrendous.

"The temperature in winter… they said minus 40. The Winter Olympics only got to minus 15 and, even then, for most Winter Olympics, they actually had to stop things. You cannot believe a peninsula that size gets so cold.

"More than 60% were National Servicemen, which is an equally extraordinary thought and a lot didn't come back. One had joined, I think, four days before and off he went.

"Someone started a rumour apparently that you got more money as a National Serviceman if you served further from home.

"That didn't happen. They ended up in Japan for quite a long time."

The Princess Royal added: "For Gloucestershire that is a very important bit of history."

The Carne building is said to be the most advanced smart building on the Government estate which allows for energy saving by monitoring consumption.