King Charles arrived by helicopter at Baker Barracks on Thorney Island for a landmark visit to the Royal Regiment of Artillery on Thursday.
Wearing a sharp suit paired with a regimental ribbon and pin, the King entered the parade ground in his role as Captain General of the Gunners.
Members of the 1st Regiment Royal Horse Artillery marked the occasion with a thunderous 21-gun salute, each of three guns firing seven shots in perfect sequence.
Inside the barracks, the monarch was given a close-up view of the army’s air defense systems, the technology described as giving the British Army its “eyes, ears and firepower.”
Charles had time to chat to the men and women behind the equipment and heard about their roles and daily routines at the Hampshire base.
A highlight of the day saw the King officially open the newly built Junior Ranks’ Restaurant and cut the ribbon on the modern facility designed to serve lower ranking soldiers stationed at Baker Barracks.
Charles also joined a live video link with troops stationed overseas, bridging thousands of miles in real time to deliver words of encouragement directly to those on active duty.
