In pictures: Kate a natural as she drives Jackal 2 during visit to soldiers
The Princess of Wales has got behind the wheel of a Jackal 2 - the British Army's high-mobility weapons platform - during a visit to 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards.
The vehicle, which weighs seven tonnes and is usually armed with a 7.62mm General Purpose Machine Gun, is designed to protect troops from roadside explosions.
Kate exclaimed "it's really great" after bringing the vehicle to a stop, adding: "It's very responsive actually, given the size of the thing."
During her visit to the Welsh cavalry regiment, she put on an MTP combat jacket and helmet and was also shown weapons in a troop hide.
She also tried her hand at flying a drone during her visit to Robertson Barracks in Norfolk.
Corporal Darreyl Tukana, a driving instructor who sat beside Kate in the Jackal 2, said afterwards: "She was a natural.
"She drives a Land Rover back at home – I told her it's exactly the same, just take it slowly and go back to where we started off from.
"She was enjoying every bit of the journey itself. It's different from what she's driving, it's a bigger vehicle."
Kate was appointed Colonel-in-Chief of the regiment by her father-in-law the King in August.
During her visit she spoke to senior officers, soldiers and families. Kate Ormston, 31, whose 38-year-old husband Staff Sergeant Paul Ormston is attached to the regiment, was with their two children when she spoke to the Princess of Wales.
She said: "She asked about Army life and my husband being deployed, and just generally she was just really down to earth and friendly.
"She spoke to everyone individually, she introduced herself to the children and asked their names and ages which was really nice. I think they were a little bit overwhelmed as well."
Kate was presented with the Queen's Dragoon Guards brooch, which was made in 1959 for the Queen Mother, who also served as Colonel-in-Chief of the regiment, during her visit.
She awarded long service and good conduct medals and took a moment to remember those lost in active service ahead of Remembrance Sunday.
Before leaving, Kate promoted the regimental mascot - a pony called Trooper 'Longface' Emrys Jones, from Lance Corporal to Corporal.
Lieutenant Colonel Chris Kierstead, the commanding officer of the regiment, said: "I think she enjoyed herself and all the soldiers and officers have enjoyed meeting her."
The Queen’s Dragoon Guards specialises in reconnaissance and was deployed to Mali in 2021 and 2022 as part of a peacekeeping operation.
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