The King has paid tribute to the 'professionalism, courage and humour' of the Irish Guards ahead of the regiment's central role in Trooping the Colour this Saturday.
Charles's words of praise came as he presented new colours to Number 9 and 12 Companies, Irish Guards, at Windsor Castle today. The Irish Guards is the regiment for which his daughter-in-law the Princess of Wales became the Colonel last year.
The King highlighted the regiment's efforts during the Covid pandemic and 'vital work to counter terrorism in Iraq and to bolster security across Africa'.
The 75-year-old monarch has recently returned to public-facing duties while still receiving treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer.
Charles was not standing in for Kate today - because he is Colonel in Chief of the seven Guards regiments of the Household Division, including the Irish Guards, and presentation of new colours is by convention done by the Colonel in Chief.
King Charles III reviews the Irish Guards during a ceremony at Windsor Castle this afternoon
King Charles III reviews the Irish Guards during a ceremony at Windsor Castle this afternoon
King Charles III meets with guests following the ceremony at Windsor Castle this afternoon
King Charles III reviews the Irish Guards during a ceremony at Windsor Castle this afternoon
Britain's King Charles III delivers a speech during the ceremony at Windsor Castle today
In a symbolic ceremony today, the King touched the new flags - the King's Colour and the Regimental Colour - signalling their special status as the 'soul of the regiment' after they were consecrated by the Army's Chaplain General Reverend Michael Parker.
The King's Colour will be trooped by Number 9 Company, Irish Guards, during the Trooping the Colour ceremony this Saturday, the official birthday celebrations of the monarch.
During the ceremony in Windsor Castle's quadrangle, the King said: 'In recent years, the regiment has continued to serve with immense distinction.
'Around the world, your achievements include vital work to counter terrorism in Iraq and to bolster security across Africa by providing high-quality training teams to work with local forces.
'At home, you played an indispensable role in assisting the civil authorities during the Covid pandemic and, only last year, training Ukrainian forces to enable them to defend their homeland.
'I was privileged to see the impressive results of this latter work for myself, during a visit to Knook Camp, on Salisbury Plain.
'In this ever-changing world, it is no exaggeration to say that the whole regiment finds itself occupying a central role in defence's contribution to the myriad challenges which societies must face.
'In all of this, you bring to your duty a blend of professionalism, courage and humour which has always marked out Irish Guardsmen.'
King Charles III reviews the Irish Guards during a ceremony at Windsor Castle this afternoon
The new colours colours are blessed in front of King Charles III at Windsor Castle today
King Charles III reviews the Irish Guards during a ceremony at Windsor Castle this afternoon
King Charles III stands guard during the ceremony at Windsor Castle this afternoon
King Charles III reviews the Irish Guards during a ceremony at Windsor Castle this afternoon
Soldiers from the Irish Guards stand guard with their new colours at Windsor Castle today
King Charles III reviews the Irish Guards during a ceremony at Windsor Castle this afternoon
In March 2023, Kate took over the role of Colonel of the Irish Guards from her husband Prince William.
The Princess sent a letter to the regiment to apologise for not being able to take the salute and to wish them luck for the Colonel's Review – the final rehearsal for the King's birthday parade - in London last Saturday, June 8.
Kate, who is undergoing chemotherapy after a cancer diagnosis, spoke of her pride in them and added that being Colonel 'remains an honour'.
The Princess was represented at the Colonel's Review by General James Bucknall, who acted as the chief inspecting officer of the day in the princess's absence.
Colours - adorned with a regiment's emblems and battle honours - were originally used as rallying points for troops on the battlefield.
King Charles III reviews the Irish Guards during a ceremony at Windsor Castle this afternoon
King Charles III reviews the Irish Guards during a ceremony at Windsor Castle this afternoon
The Band of the Irish Guards, led by the Irish Guards Regimental Mascot, an Irish wolfhound named Seamus (Turlough Mor) marching prior to King Charles presenting new colours today
Soldiers from the Irish Guards hold the new colours at Windsor Castle this afternoon
The Band of the Irish Guards march at Windsor Castle today before the arrival of King Charles
The Band of the Irish Guards march at Windsor Castle today before the arrival of King Charles
The Band of the Irish Guards march at Windsor Castle today before the arrival of King Charles
The Band of the Irish Guards march at Windsor Castle today before the arrival of King Charles
Members of the public watch the ceremony at Windsor Castle today
They still accompany soldiers on operations and, more visibly, on ceremonial duties.
The presentation of new colours to No 9 and No 12 Company started today with the Band of the Irish Guards marching them into Windsor Castle.
They were led by the Irish Guards' regimental mascot - an Irish wolfhound named Turlough Mor but affectionately known as Seamus.
This Saturday, the King will be accompanied by the Irish Guards Regimental Lieutenant Colonel, Major General Sir Christopher Ghika KCVO CBE.
There will be a royal salute and the national anthem will be played.
During the Colonel's Review last Saturday, Seamus was led across the square by a scarlet-coated drummer. The dog was presented to the regiment as the soldiers lined up.
Troops take part in the Colonel's Review at Horse Guards Parade in London on June 8
Troops of the Household Division take part in the Brigade Major's Review in London on May 30
2023 -- (From left) Prince George, Kate, Prince Louis, Prince William, Princess Charlotte, King Charles and Queen Camilla at Buckingham Palace for Trooping the Colour on June 17 last year
2022 -- William, Kate and their children attend Trooping the Colour in London on June 2, 2022
2019 -- William and Kate at Trooping the Colour with their children in London on June 8, 2019
Field Officer in Brigade Waiting Lieutenant Colonel James Coleby shouted orders to the regiment while riding a white horse named Onyx.
A mock-up of the royal carriage, emulating the one which will hold the King in a week's time, arrived at Horse Guards Parade in time to reach the saluting base at exactly 11am.
A royal salute was given and the national anthem was played in full. The Household Calvary and the Mounted Band processed around the square with the carriage.
Horses marched in pairs in front and behind the carriage, with two divisions in front and two behind before the group finally filed off the parade and down the mall to prepare for the mock firing of a 41-gun salute, which will take place this Saturday.
A total of 250 musicians, 20 pipers, 240 military working horses and almost 1,000 dual-role soldiers of the British Army's Household Division took part in the event last Saturday.
