The Prince of Wales met Worcester soldiers while engaging in a simulated attack in which he threw smoke grenades from an armoured vehicle.

He participated in the exercise during his first-ever visit to the 1st Battalion The Mercian Regiment in his new capacity as its Colonel-in-Chief.

The Prince of Wales assumed the role of a gunner on the infantry fighting vehicle during a mock assault on Salisbury Plain.

 

 

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The attack simulated saw multiple vehicles engage an enemy stronghold within a wooded area.

Following the event, Sergeant Mark Kirton, 31, the section commander for the troops participating in the ground assault, described His Royal Highness as "very excited" by the exercise.

He said: "His Royal Highness was in the gunner seat of the vehicle I was travelling in and he also came to sit on orders with myself."

Worcester News: The Prince of Wales visited the 1st Battalion The Mercian Regiment as its new Commander-in-Chief

The prince was also involved in operating weapons systems on the Warrior, throwing smoke to create a screen for the attending troops.

He added: "From what I saw, I think he felt very excited when he saw all the smoke and the bangs going off, so hopefully he enjoyed it."

Sergeant Kirton, who is from Worcester, indicated that the prince will gain an understanding of the unit's operations as they combine infantry efforts and vehicle use in his new role as colonel-in-chief of the regiment.

In addition to the exercise, the Prince of Wales was briefed on the regiment's recent endeavours and details surrounding a future deployment to Poland next year.

His visit was marked by interactions with several service personnel, hearing about their roles and experiences within the regiment.

Captain Matthew Camp, also from Worcester, described the royal visit as initially nervy.

He said: "It was nerve racking at first when I saw him walking towards me, but he put me at ease with his manner.

“There’s a buzz around the battalion and it always nice. This is the first royal visit I have been part of and I think for everyone here they won’t forget today.

“I was lucky to be part of the attack his Royal Highness conducted and there’s nerves because you don’t know if everything will go to plan. It went well and he said he enjoyed the attack."

The Prince’s visit to the Mercian infantry regiment comes after his recent appointment as Colonel-in-Chief by his father.

The regiment, known for traditionally recruiting from regions including Cheshire, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Staffordshire was established in 2007.