Prince William in Military Action Again
Our beloved Prince William, despite some time having passed since his army days, has not shirked his duties. As Colonel of the Mercian Regiment, he recently paid a visit to the troops, swapping his suit for combat gear and even jumping on a tank.
Just a fortnight since Princess Kate's visit to the barracks, Prince William joined the ranks for his inaugural visit to the Mercian Regiment, a title bestowed upon him by his father, King Charles III, during the summer.
Following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles III rearranged military roles, stating, "The King is pleased to announce further military appointments for working members of the Royal Family." Prince William was appointed as Colonel of the Mercian Regiment, the Army Air Corps, and Honorary Royal Commander of RAF Valley, a position he once held as a pilot.
Training with Tanks and Smoke Grenades
Upon landing on Salisbury Plain, Prince William received a briefing about the regiment's tasks and was introduced to the 12th Armored Brigade's combat team. The group would be sent to Poland the next year to provide a variety of services, including bridge crossing and air defense.
After the briefing, the Prince inspected the military vehicles, participated in an assault exercise, throwing smoke grenades and operating the gun of a tank. He also engaged with various members of the military to learn more about their roles and activities in the regiment.
Prince William described the visit as a "real education in the field" and an opportunity to gain an "understanding of the work of modern infantry" in the British Army.
Kate's Parallel Activities
Most impressive was not only Prince William's commitment but also that of his wife, Kate. In August, she too received new roles: Commander-in-Chief of the Fleet Air Arm and Colonel of the 1st Queen's Dragoon Guards. Her third title was Honorary Royal Commander of the Royal Air Force squadron of Eurofighter jets based at Coningsby.
During early November, Kate visited the troops of the 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards at Dereham Barracks. After changing into a camouflage uniform, Kate piloted a drone.
Prince William's dedication to his military duties was evident in his recent visit to the Mercian Regiment. This fun-filled exercise serves as a reminder of the strong bond between the British Royal Family and the Armed Forces.
Behind the Scenes
Prince William's ties to the military run deep. Prior to becoming a full-time royal, he served as a military pilot with the RAF's Search and Rescue Force at RAF Valley in Anglesey, North Wales. He later retrained as an Air Ambulance Pilot and worked for the East Anglian Air Ambulance from 2015 to 2017.
In January 2025, Prince William was scheduled to visit the Army Air Corps regiment in Wattisham, Suffolk, but severe weather conditions forced him to postpone the visit. The visit was intended to include discussions about the Corps' work and interactions with soldiers and their families, focusing on mental and physical resilience.
These recent activities show Prince William's continued dedication to his military duties and support of the armed forces and their families.
