Sovereign's Parade marks commissioning of new Army officers at Sandhurst
More than 200 cadets have commissioned as officers following the latest Sovereign's Parade at Sandhurst.
A total of 209 officer cadets celebrated the massive achievement of completing 44 weeks of intensive training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.
Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin represented the King, with the head of Britain's military spending considerable time talking to the new young officers as hundreds of family and friends looked on.
One of those was Officer Cadet Tegan Shone, who will join the Royal Corps of Signals following her family tradition.
"My grandad back in the 1960s did the boy service and then moved to regular service with the Royal Signals," she told Forces News.
"Then my dad coincidentally also joined the Royal Signals back in 2002 and has made it up to RSM and I thought I’d join the family tradition and join the Royal Signals myself as a commissioned officer."
She added: "I think a few people at the start were a little bit sceptical, but they’re all very excited for it. Grandad got a new blazer with a little crest on and my dad's been wholly supportive."
Fellow Officer Cadet Ross Fuller, who will joining the Royal Artillery, said he was "incredibly proud".
"It took me quite a while to spot my family in the crowds, but really excited to be here after 11 months of the course," he said.
He admitted he had "mixed feelings" on the day.
"[I] almost can't believe it's finally here, but at the same time just really excited to do the parade and celebrate with my family," he said.
Thirty-nine of the officer cadets came from 21 overseas nations, including the first person to commission from Ecuador.
Adm Sir Tony addressed the cadets, explaining it was his first time at the Sovereign's Parade at Sandhurst and welcoming them into an Army that he said was set to change and develop hugely during their service.
After this, it was time for the officer cadets of commissioning course number 233 to leave the parade.
This year, it was the honour of horse Jumping Jack to walk up the stairs of Sandhurst in the traditional way.
At midnight, as tradition dictates, the officer cadets ripped the covering from their shoulder epaulettes to reveal their new rank of second lieutenant or cornet, with their career as commissioned officers now underway.
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