PRINCE Charles cast a careful eye over Colchester’s parachute regiment during a “momentous and historic” visit to the town’s garrison.
The Prince of Wales, Colonel in Chief of the regiment, presented the army’s world-renowned airborne battalions with new colours - military ceremonial flags - at Merville Barracks yesterday.
A regiment spokesman said: “It was a momentous and historic occasion.
“The last time colours were presented to the regiment was in 1998, and this month marks the 50th anniversary of His Royal Highness’s first parachute jump.”
Covid-19 restrictions meant the parade had to be socially distanced, and special dispensation was granted to allow for the 500 guests to attend in family bubbles.
The prince was accompanied at the ceremony by the parachute regiment’s Colonel Commandant, Lieutenant General Sir John Lorimer, in what was to be Sir John’s last event in the role.
Read more >> Stunning pictures capture RAF flypast as Prince Charles arrives in Colchester
After 39 years of service with the parachute regiment and Ministry of Defence, he has been appointed the next Lieutenant Governor of the Isle of Man.
At the start of the ceremony, the old colours were marched off parade, as the Band of the parachute Regiment played Auld Lang Syne.
Artillery guns fired a salute for the arrival of the Prince of Wales and the national anthem was played.
Addressing soldiers, veterans and families on Tuesday, he said: “I find it hard to believe that it’s been 44 years since I became your Colonel in Chief and nearly 50 years since I made my first parachute drop, initially upside down with my legs in the rigging lines, into Studland Bay, Dorset, where I was pulled out of the water by the Royal Marines.”
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A flypast took place over the parade square, charting the aerial heritage and future of the regiment, from the Tiger Moth to the modern-day Apache helicopter.
The Red Devils Parachute Display Team dropped smoke and parachuted into the square for a nail-biting finish.
After the ceremony, the prince spoke to more soldiers, veterans and families at an outdoor reception.
Dennis Mason, 67, whose son Lance Corporal Nicky Mason died in Afghanistan in 2008, aged 26, said “it means so much” that Charles attended, adding: “The whole day has been fantastic.”
The prince also spoke to veterans and petted a Shetland pony called Pegasus, the Parachute Regiment’s mascot, before leaving the event.
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