LONDON – In a poignant ceremony on Monday, Britain’s King Charles bestowed upon his son, Prince William, a significant military role, marking a rare joint appearance for the royal duo as the king intensifies his return to public duties following his cancer diagnosis.
At the Army Flying Museum in southern England, Charles formally presented William with the esteemed title of Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps, a position held by the 75-year-old monarch for an impressive 32 years. Against the backdrop of an Apache helicopter and surrounded by service personnel, the transfer of responsibility symbolized a passing of the torch to the next generation.
Speaking proudly of his son, Charles commended William’s exceptional piloting skills, acknowledging his tenure as a former helicopter search and rescue pilot for Britain’s Royal Air Force.
The occasion marked Charles’s latest official engagement since his return to royal duties at the end of April, following a hiatus of almost three months for cancer treatment. Likewise, William, 41, had taken a step back from his royal duties earlier this year to support his wife during her preventative chemotherapy treatment, reassuring the public on Friday that she was “doing well.”
Expressing bittersweet sentiments during the handover ceremony, Charles bid farewell to his longstanding role with a tinge of sadness but expressed confidence that the Army Air Corps would thrive under William’s leadership. In his parting words, Charles conveyed his pride in his association with the Corps and encouraged the personnel to continue excelling.
The official transfer of the title, announced last August following Charles’s accession to the throne, underscores a symbolic transition within the royal family. Following the ceremony, William engaged with the Corps, inspecting training facilities, equipment, and engaging with soldiers, further solidifying his commitment to his new role.