General Sir James Hockenhull: Officer cadets leaving Sandhurst face an uncertain world

The latest cohort of British Army officers were warned they face a risk of major conflict in the early years of their service, as they passed out at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.

The Sovereign's Parade is a chance for officer cadets to look back on 44 weeks of training, but Commissioning Course 243 was also told to prepare for the future, as they go on to lead soldiers across the service.

A total of 203 cadets from the senior intake were on parade last Friday and now officially hold the King's Commission.

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Representing the King at the ceremony, General Sir Jim Hockenhull, Commander of the UK's Cyber and Specialist Operations Command, addressed the officer cadets on Sandhurst's parade square.

"What a life you face, a world that is more dangerous now than at any time in my 40 years of service," he said.

"A war in Europe, following Russia's illegal invasion, now in its fourth brutal year, conflicts in the Middle East, unrest in parts of Africa and tensions in the Indo-Pacific and constant competition in cyberspace."

Thirty-four international cadets from 25 countries also attended the passing-out parade, including the first female cadet from Uruguay and the first cadet from Mongolia.

Gen Hockenhull said it was these international partnerships which helped deliver battlefield victories.

Meanwhile, the Sword of Honour, awarded to the best British officer cadet, was presented to Senior Under Officer Charlie Hubbard.

Plus, there was a rare appearance by Princess Alexandra, who was supporting her grandson's graduation from Sandhurst.