The King – then known as Prince Charles – in the cockpit of a Chipmunk aircraft before flying from RAF Oakington in 1969 (Picture: PA Images)
The King – then known as Prince Charles – in the cockpit of a Chipmunk aircraft before flying from RAF Oakington in 1969 (Picture: PA Images)
Prince Charles, on the day he received his wings at RAF College Cranwell, with Prince Philip, both in uniform, in August 1971 (Picture: Keystone Press)
Prince Charles, on the day he received his wings at RAF College Cranwell, with Prince Philip, both in uniform, in August 1971 (Picture: Keystone Press)
King Charles III – then Prince Charles – shows his mother Queen Elizabeth II around HMS Norfolk, the ship he was serving on in 1972 (Picture: PA Images)
King Charles III – then Prince Charles – shows his mother Queen Elizabeth II around HMS Norfolk, the ship he was serving on in 1972 (Picture: PA Images)
Queen Elizabeth II being shown around HMS Norfolk by then Prince Charles (Picture: Trinity Mirror/Mirrorpix)
Queen Elizabeth II being shown around HMS Norfolk by then Prince Charles (Picture: Trinity Mirror/Mirrorpix)
The then Prince in the cockpit of a Wessex helicopter at RNAS Yeovilton in 1974 (Picture: PA Images)
The then Prince in the cockpit of a Wessex helicopter at RNAS Yeovilton in 1974 (Picture: PA Images)
The then Prince Charles preparing to fly in public for the first time at International Air Day at RNAS Culdrose in 1975 (Picture: PA Images)
The then Prince Charles preparing to fly in public for the first time at International Air Day at RNAS Culdrose in 1975 (Picture: PA Images)
Prince Charles salutes his shipmates as he leaves the Royal Navy (Picture: Trinity Mirror / Mirrorpix)
Prince Charles salutes his shipmates as he leaves the Royal Navy (Picture: Trinity Mirror / Mirrorpix)
The then Prince rides a Supacat during his visit to 1st Battalion the Parachute Regiment on Salisbury Plain in February 1999 (Pictures: PA Images)
The then Prince rides a Supacat during his visit to 1st Battalion the Parachute Regiment on Salisbury Plain in February 1999 (Pictures: PA Images)
Prince Charles gives out Afghanistan campaign medals to Navy personnel in July 2010 (Picture: PA Images)
Prince Charles gives out Afghanistan campaign medals to Navy personnel in July 2010 (Picture: PA Images)
Prince Charles meets Chelsea Pensioners during Founders Day at the Royal Hospital in June 1999 (PICTURE: MOD).
Prince Charles meets Chelsea Pensioners during Founders Day at the Royal Hospital in June 1999 (Picture: MOD)
Prince Charles meeting members of 16 Air Assualt Brigade, Parachute Regiment, before their deployment to the Gulf in January 2003 (Picture: MOD)
Prince Charles meeting members of 16 Air Assualt Brigade, Parachute Regiment, before their deployment to the Gulf in January 2003 (Picture: MOD)
Prince Charles on a surprise visit to troops in Afghanistan, the most senior and only royal member to visit Kabul in living memory (Picture: MOD)
Prince Charles on a surprise visit to troops in Afghanistan, the most senior and only royal member to visit Kabul in living memory (Picture: MOD)
Prince Charles takes the salute from the march past of 2,000 serving personnel, veterans and cadets in Edinburgh on Armed Forces Day 2011 (Picture: PA Images)
Prince Charles takes the salute from the march past of 2,000 serving personnel, veterans and cadets in Edinburgh on Armed Forces Day 2011 (Picture: PA Images)
Prince Charles seen during a visit to Combermere Barracks in Windsor in May 2021 (Picture: PA Images)
Prince Charles seen during a visit to Combermere Barracks in Windsor in May 2021 (Picture: PA Images)
Prince Charles saluting newly commissioned Royal Navy Officers passing out at Britannia Royal Naval College in 2021 (Picture: BFBS)
Prince Charles saluting newly commissioned Royal Navy Officers passing out at Britannia Royal Naval College in December 2021 (Picture: BFBS)
Prince Charles addresses personnel from Parachute Regiment at Merville Barracks, Colchester, where he presented the regiment with its new colours in July 2021 (Picture: BFBS)
Prince Charles addresses personnel from Parachute Regiment at Merville Barracks, Colchester, where he presented the regiment with its new colours in July 2021 (Picture: BFBS)
King Charles was the Reviewing Officer for the RAF College’s Combined Parade at Cranwell in April 2022 (Picture: MOD)
King Charles was the Reviewing Officer for the RAF College's Combined Parade at Cranwell in April 2022 (Picture: MOD)
Prince Charles on board HMS Queen Elizabeth meets Falklands War veterans in July 2022 (Picture: BFBS)
Prince Charles on board HMS Queen Elizabeth meets Falklands War veterans in July 2022 (Picture: BFBS)
King Charles joining Armed Forces personnel who led nation in Remembrance at the Cenotaph in 2022 (Picture: MOD)
King Charles joining Armed Forces personnel who led nation in Remembrance at the Cenotaph in 2022 (Picture: MOD)
King Charles visiting Ukrainian troops training in Wiltshire in 2023 (Picture: MOD)
King Charles visiting Ukrainian troops training in Wiltshire in February 2023 (Picture: MOD)
King Charles attends first Sovereign's Parade as King at Sandhurst in 2023 (Picture: BFBS)
King Charles attends his first Sovereign's Parade as King at Sandhurst in March 2023 (Picture: BFBS)
King Charles inspects the officer cadets on parade at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in April 2023 (Picture: MOD).
King Charles inspects the officer cadets on parade at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in April 2023 (Picture: MOD)
King Charles presents the Armed Forces with new Colours and Standards in 2023 (Picture: MOD)
King Charles presents the Armed Forces with new Colours and Standards in April 2023 (Picture: MOD)
The King – then known as Prince Charles – in the cockpit of a Chipmunk aircraft before flying from RAF Oakington in 1969 (Picture: PA Images)
Prince Charles, on the day he received his wings at RAF College Cranwell, with Prince Philip, both in uniform, in August 1971 (Picture: Keystone Press)
King Charles III – then Prince Charles – shows his mother Queen Elizabeth II around HMS Norfolk, the ship he was serving on in 1972 (Picture: PA Images)
Queen Elizabeth II being shown around HMS Norfolk by then Prince Charles (Picture: Trinity Mirror/Mirrorpix)
The then Prince in the cockpit of a Wessex helicopter at RNAS Yeovilton in 1974 (Picture: PA Images)
The then Prince Charles preparing to fly in public for the first time at International Air Day at RNAS Culdrose in 1975 (Picture: PA Images)
Prince Charles salutes his shipmates as he leaves the Royal Navy (Picture: Trinity Mirror / Mirrorpix)
The then Prince rides a Supacat during his visit to 1st Battalion the Parachute Regiment on Salisbury Plain in February 1999 (Pictures: PA Images)
Prince Charles gives out Afghanistan campaign medals to Navy personnel in July 2010 (Picture: PA Images)
Prince Charles meets Chelsea Pensioners during Founders Day at the Royal Hospital in June 1999 (PICTURE: MOD).
Prince Charles meeting members of 16 Air Assualt Brigade, Parachute Regiment, before their deployment to the Gulf in January 2003 (Picture: MOD)
Prince Charles on a surprise visit to troops in Afghanistan, the most senior and only royal member to visit Kabul in living memory (Picture: MOD)
Prince Charles takes the salute from the march past of 2,000 serving personnel, veterans and cadets in Edinburgh on Armed Forces Day 2011 (Picture: PA Images)
Prince Charles seen during a visit to Combermere Barracks in Windsor in May 2021 (Picture: PA Images)
Prince Charles saluting newly commissioned Royal Navy Officers passing out at Britannia Royal Naval College in 2021 (Picture: BFBS)
Prince Charles addresses personnel from Parachute Regiment at Merville Barracks, Colchester, where he presented the regiment with its new colours in July 2021 (Picture: BFBS)
King Charles was the Reviewing Officer for the RAF College’s Combined Parade at Cranwell in April 2022 (Picture: MOD)
Prince Charles on board HMS Queen Elizabeth meets Falklands War veterans in July 2022 (Picture: BFBS)
King Charles joining Armed Forces personnel who led nation in Remembrance at the Cenotaph in 2022 (Picture: MOD)
King Charles visiting Ukrainian troops training in Wiltshire in 2023 (Picture: MOD)
King Charles attends first Sovereign's Parade as King at Sandhurst in 2023 (Picture: BFBS)
King Charles inspects the officer cadets on parade at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in April 2023 (Picture: MOD).
King Charles presents the Armed Forces with new Colours and Standards in 2023 (Picture: MOD)
King Charles

In pictures: King Charles's military career

The King – then known as Prince Charles – in the cockpit of a Chipmunk aircraft before flying from RAF Oakington in 1969 (Picture: PA Images)
The King – then known as Prince Charles – in the cockpit of a Chipmunk aircraft before flying from RAF Oakington in 1969 (Picture: PA Images)
Prince Charles, on the day he received his wings at RAF College Cranwell, with Prince Philip, both in uniform, in August 1971 (Picture: Keystone Press)
Prince Charles, on the day he received his wings at RAF College Cranwell, with Prince Philip, both in uniform, in August 1971 (Picture: Keystone Press)
King Charles III – then Prince Charles – shows his mother Queen Elizabeth II around HMS Norfolk, the ship he was serving on in 1972 (Picture: PA Images)
King Charles III – then Prince Charles – shows his mother Queen Elizabeth II around HMS Norfolk, the ship he was serving on in 1972 (Picture: PA Images)
Queen Elizabeth II being shown around HMS Norfolk by then Prince Charles (Picture: Trinity Mirror/Mirrorpix)
Queen Elizabeth II being shown around HMS Norfolk by then Prince Charles (Picture: Trinity Mirror/Mirrorpix)
The then Prince in the cockpit of a Wessex helicopter at RNAS Yeovilton in 1974 (Picture: PA Images)
The then Prince in the cockpit of a Wessex helicopter at RNAS Yeovilton in 1974 (Picture: PA Images)
The then Prince Charles preparing to fly in public for the first time at International Air Day at RNAS Culdrose in 1975 (Picture: PA Images)
The then Prince Charles preparing to fly in public for the first time at International Air Day at RNAS Culdrose in 1975 (Picture: PA Images)
Prince Charles salutes his shipmates as he leaves the Royal Navy (Picture: Trinity Mirror / Mirrorpix)
Prince Charles salutes his shipmates as he leaves the Royal Navy (Picture: Trinity Mirror / Mirrorpix)
The then Prince rides a Supacat during his visit to 1st Battalion the Parachute Regiment on Salisbury Plain in February 1999 (Pictures: PA Images)
The then Prince rides a Supacat during his visit to 1st Battalion the Parachute Regiment on Salisbury Plain in February 1999 (Pictures: PA Images)
Prince Charles gives out Afghanistan campaign medals to Navy personnel in July 2010 (Picture: PA Images)
Prince Charles gives out Afghanistan campaign medals to Navy personnel in July 2010 (Picture: PA Images)
Prince Charles meets Chelsea Pensioners during Founders Day at the Royal Hospital in June 1999 (PICTURE: MOD).
Prince Charles meets Chelsea Pensioners during Founders Day at the Royal Hospital in June 1999 (Picture: MOD)
Prince Charles meeting members of 16 Air Assualt Brigade, Parachute Regiment, before their deployment to the Gulf in January 2003 (Picture: MOD)
Prince Charles meeting members of 16 Air Assualt Brigade, Parachute Regiment, before their deployment to the Gulf in January 2003 (Picture: MOD)
Prince Charles on a surprise visit to troops in Afghanistan, the most senior and only royal member to visit Kabul in living memory (Picture: MOD)
Prince Charles on a surprise visit to troops in Afghanistan, the most senior and only royal member to visit Kabul in living memory (Picture: MOD)
Prince Charles takes the salute from the march past of 2,000 serving personnel, veterans and cadets in Edinburgh on Armed Forces Day 2011 (Picture: PA Images)
Prince Charles takes the salute from the march past of 2,000 serving personnel, veterans and cadets in Edinburgh on Armed Forces Day 2011 (Picture: PA Images)
Prince Charles seen during a visit to Combermere Barracks in Windsor in May 2021 (Picture: PA Images)
Prince Charles seen during a visit to Combermere Barracks in Windsor in May 2021 (Picture: PA Images)
Prince Charles saluting newly commissioned Royal Navy Officers passing out at Britannia Royal Naval College in 2021 (Picture: BFBS)
Prince Charles saluting newly commissioned Royal Navy Officers passing out at Britannia Royal Naval College in December 2021 (Picture: BFBS)
Prince Charles addresses personnel from Parachute Regiment at Merville Barracks, Colchester, where he presented the regiment with its new colours in July 2021 (Picture: BFBS)
Prince Charles addresses personnel from Parachute Regiment at Merville Barracks, Colchester, where he presented the regiment with its new colours in July 2021 (Picture: BFBS)
King Charles was the Reviewing Officer for the RAF College’s Combined Parade at Cranwell in April 2022 (Picture: MOD)
King Charles was the Reviewing Officer for the RAF College's Combined Parade at Cranwell in April 2022 (Picture: MOD)
Prince Charles on board HMS Queen Elizabeth meets Falklands War veterans in July 2022 (Picture: BFBS)
Prince Charles on board HMS Queen Elizabeth meets Falklands War veterans in July 2022 (Picture: BFBS)
King Charles joining Armed Forces personnel who led nation in Remembrance at the Cenotaph in 2022 (Picture: MOD)
King Charles joining Armed Forces personnel who led nation in Remembrance at the Cenotaph in 2022 (Picture: MOD)
King Charles visiting Ukrainian troops training in Wiltshire in 2023 (Picture: MOD)
King Charles visiting Ukrainian troops training in Wiltshire in February 2023 (Picture: MOD)
King Charles attends first Sovereign's Parade as King at Sandhurst in 2023 (Picture: BFBS)
King Charles attends his first Sovereign's Parade as King at Sandhurst in March 2023 (Picture: BFBS)
King Charles inspects the officer cadets on parade at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in April 2023 (Picture: MOD).
King Charles inspects the officer cadets on parade at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in April 2023 (Picture: MOD)
King Charles presents the Armed Forces with new Colours and Standards in 2023 (Picture: MOD)
King Charles presents the Armed Forces with new Colours and Standards in April 2023 (Picture: MOD)
The King – then known as Prince Charles – in the cockpit of a Chipmunk aircraft before flying from RAF Oakington in 1969 (Picture: PA Images)
Prince Charles, on the day he received his wings at RAF College Cranwell, with Prince Philip, both in uniform, in August 1971 (Picture: Keystone Press)
King Charles III – then Prince Charles – shows his mother Queen Elizabeth II around HMS Norfolk, the ship he was serving on in 1972 (Picture: PA Images)
Queen Elizabeth II being shown around HMS Norfolk by then Prince Charles (Picture: Trinity Mirror/Mirrorpix)
The then Prince in the cockpit of a Wessex helicopter at RNAS Yeovilton in 1974 (Picture: PA Images)
The then Prince Charles preparing to fly in public for the first time at International Air Day at RNAS Culdrose in 1975 (Picture: PA Images)
Prince Charles salutes his shipmates as he leaves the Royal Navy (Picture: Trinity Mirror / Mirrorpix)
The then Prince rides a Supacat during his visit to 1st Battalion the Parachute Regiment on Salisbury Plain in February 1999 (Pictures: PA Images)
Prince Charles gives out Afghanistan campaign medals to Navy personnel in July 2010 (Picture: PA Images)
Prince Charles meets Chelsea Pensioners during Founders Day at the Royal Hospital in June 1999 (PICTURE: MOD).
Prince Charles meeting members of 16 Air Assualt Brigade, Parachute Regiment, before their deployment to the Gulf in January 2003 (Picture: MOD)
Prince Charles on a surprise visit to troops in Afghanistan, the most senior and only royal member to visit Kabul in living memory (Picture: MOD)
Prince Charles takes the salute from the march past of 2,000 serving personnel, veterans and cadets in Edinburgh on Armed Forces Day 2011 (Picture: PA Images)
Prince Charles seen during a visit to Combermere Barracks in Windsor in May 2021 (Picture: PA Images)
Prince Charles saluting newly commissioned Royal Navy Officers passing out at Britannia Royal Naval College in 2021 (Picture: BFBS)
Prince Charles addresses personnel from Parachute Regiment at Merville Barracks, Colchester, where he presented the regiment with its new colours in July 2021 (Picture: BFBS)
King Charles was the Reviewing Officer for the RAF College’s Combined Parade at Cranwell in April 2022 (Picture: MOD)
Prince Charles on board HMS Queen Elizabeth meets Falklands War veterans in July 2022 (Picture: BFBS)
King Charles joining Armed Forces personnel who led nation in Remembrance at the Cenotaph in 2022 (Picture: MOD)
King Charles visiting Ukrainian troops training in Wiltshire in 2023 (Picture: MOD)
King Charles attends first Sovereign's Parade as King at Sandhurst in 2023 (Picture: BFBS)
King Charles inspects the officer cadets on parade at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in April 2023 (Picture: MOD).
King Charles presents the Armed Forces with new Colours and Standards in 2023 (Picture: MOD)

King Charles III has always maintained a close relationship with the Armed Forces.

The military's Commander-in-Chief served in the both Royal Navy and Royal Air Force – following in the footsteps of his father, grandfather and both great-grandfathers.

His career saw him take command of coastal minehunter HMS Bronington, while he also qualified as a helicopter pilot, flying Wessex helicopters with 845 Naval Air Squadron.

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