The King visits Dartmouth's Britannia Royal Naval College - 55 years after he trained there

The King wished nearly 200 cadets "success and good fortune" as he revisited the naval academy in Dartmouth where he trained nearly 55 years ago.

King Charles joined the Blake Division at the Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, in 1971.

The Royal visit opened with a flypast by DA20 Dassault Falcons featuring a silk White Ensign with the King's Cypher, which is now entrusted to the college.

Giving a speech to 191 cadets, the monarch said he has "so many memories" of six weeks as a graduate entrant.

He said: "I have so many memories of my time here, particularly of driving up and down the Dart in the old picket boats as part of what I now see was a crash course in learning the rules of the road at sea by trying to avoid being mown down by over-enthusiastic yacht owners.

“These experiences served me well when, five years later, I ended up commanding one of the last wooden-walled ships in the Royal Navy – the Ton-class minehunter – and desperately tried to avoid becoming yet another headline in the tabloid newspapers by running into the jetty during a berthing operation in a force nine gale.

“This was all character-building stuff, which has stood me in good stead ever since.”

During his time in the Navy, King Charles qualified as a helicopter pilot in 1974 and joined 845 Naval Air Squadron.

His command of the coastal minehunter HMS Bronington in February 1976 was his last appointment.

King Charles used his severance pay of £7,400 to establish the King's Trust, which aims to improve the lives of disadvantaged young people in the UK.

Speaking to young officers who have completed a 29-week training camp, as well as medical officers and chaplains, Charles added: “In facing new threats, risks and challenges, whether around our coastal waters or beyond, above or below the surface, or from the effects of ever-increasing and devastating natural disasters, the Royal Navy is evolving rapidly.

“Embracing new technologies, evaluating systems made possible by AI, and proactively introducing uncrewed platforms where operations allow, the service is characteristically leading the way.

“However, vessels and equipment alone do not deliver success – people do. Your role is to lead those people: to inspire and to create the conditions for excellence, in peace and war.”

He concluded: “You are all imbued with the same drive, determination and fighting spirit that have carried your forebears to victory.

“I can only wish each of you every possible success and good fortune as you embark on your future specialisations in the Senior Service. This country is lucky to have you.”

The cadets will now go on to serve in the navies of the Bahamas, Kuwait, Malta, Oman, Qatar and UAE.

Midshipman Denholm Coxhill says he was filled with pride standing in front of his family during the King's inspection.

He said: “I was trying not to smile and to be very serious, but it’s very hard to do it. It’s that overwhelming emotion that everything’s done, and I can share it with them.”

He had a few words with the King, which he described as “surreal”, in a light-hearted exchange about pop music.

“He ended up asking me, ‘So you survived OK?’, then I said, ‘To quote Elton John, I’m still standing’, so I don’t think he’ll forget that one, and I’m not going to forget it.”

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