King makes candid confession as monarch admits to feeling ‘very uncomfortable
King Charles has made a candid confession as the monarch admits to feeling “very uncomfortable”.
His Majesty described his military training as “very uncomfortable” during a visit to the Royal Marines base where he completed three days of commando training 50 years ago
King Charles arrived at a training assault course where he was presented with a picture of himself tackling the high ropes in 1974 as the Prince of Wales.
Colonel Innes Catton revealed that as the King arrived at the assault course, “he had a proper beaming smile.
He added: “Obviously we hoped he would feel that way and he absolutely did.
“In terms of engaging with the Marines, he was all over them.
“He was remembering (his own experience).
“He wasn’t very kind in his description about it, he said it was very uncomfortable but nonetheless enjoyed recalling it and often asked a lot of recruits about their experiences of the commando test.
He added: “He was completely relaxed.”
The monarch completed his helicopter pilot training at the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines in Lympstone, near Exeter, Devon, in 1974.
King Charles expressed his pride and highlighted significance of his visit on the 360th birthday year of the Royal Marines after previously training as a helicopter pilot.
He said: “It has been a remarkable 85 years since my grandfather, King George VI, presented the King’s Badge to the best recruit in the King’s Squad, and I am so very pleased and proud to be able to do the same here today.
The King added: “As history has demonstrated, the Royal Marines have continued to remain at the very heart of our nation’s defence, standing steadfast at the vanguard of change.
“Today marks not just the end of your rigorous Commando training, with which I am all too familiar!
“All of you, as Royal Marines, will help to perpetuate our peace and freedom, both now and in the future.
“As your Captain General, I can only express my pride in each and every one of you, together with my admiration for passing such a demanding course.
