King Charles puts on an animated display as he fires gun during visit to Royal Regiment of Artillery - and is praised for his 'faultless' technique
The King put on a very animated display as he fired an artillery piece during his visit to British Army barracks in Larkhill, Wiltshire this afternoon.
Charles, 76, sported some ear defenders and appeared to wince away at the loud noise as he sat by the weapon with other soldiers nearby.
The royal seemed to be equal parts impressed and surprised by the demonstration, lifting his arms up after smoke could be seen coming from the gun - but was praised for his 'faultless' technique.
In his first visit as Captain General of the Royal Regiment of Artillery, a role he took up after the death of his mother Queen Elizabeth II, the monarch was dapper in a khaki military uniform for the occasion.
Along with meeting with members and learning about their training, the King was able to examine a Puma AE reconnaissance drone amid other tech.
Charles also heard about the heritage of the regiment as well as being informed about the equipment used.
The King arrived in his number four tropical dress uniform and received the royal salute as he arrived at the regiment's headquarters near Salisbury where he was met by Master Gunner, St James's Park, Lieutenant-General Sir Andrew Gregory.
The National Anthem was played before His Majesty was invited into the officers' mess where he met personnel including representatives from the newly formed King's Gurkha Artillery (KGA).
In the dining room, the King had a chance to see historical artefacts including the voluntary artillery officer full dress tunic uniform of his great-grandfather George V.
'It's lasted very well,' he remarked.
The King also had a chance to meet families of the service personnel and representatives of Chelsea Pensioners.
In the grounds, the King was shown some of the high-tech equipment used by the soldiers including the L118 light gun, the Archer artillery system, a multiple launch rocket system and drones.
Charles picked up one of the fixed-winged drones to gauge its weight as their use was being explained to him.
The King also met representatives of the reserves as he was informed about the different roles within the Royal Artillery.
The National Anthem was played before His Majesty was invited into the officers' mess where he met personnel including representatives from the newly formed King's Gurkha Artillery (KGA)
The King arrived in his number four tropical dress uniform and received the royal salute as he arrived at the regiment's headquarters near Salisbury where he was met by Master Gunner, St James's Park, Lieutenant-General Sir Andrew Gregory
He was given some ear defenders to wear and fired an artillery piece during his visit to the Royal Regiment of Artillery
He put on a set of ear defenders as he sat in the firing seat and called 'ready' and visibly winced as he pulled the firing lever
Before his departure, Charles chatted to some of the families that had gathered to meet him this afternoon
Staff sergeant Bethan Preston-Newman, of the 104th Regiment based in Newport, Wales, said: 'It was a once-in-lifetime opportunity to meet the King and really nice to explain what the reserves do.'
Lance Bombardier Rebecca Haynes, also based in Newport, added: 'It was a great honour to be here and represent the regiment' - while Lance Bombardier Alexandra Robinson, based in Worcester, said that 'he is definitely interested in us as people and it's definitely an honour to be her'.
Charles then accepted an invitation to take the seated position of the L118 light gun to fire a single shot.
He put on a set of ear defenders as he sat in the firing seat and called 'ready' and visibly winced as he pulled the firing lever.
Sergeant Neil Mitchell, of 14 Regt, 34 Battery, praised the King's firing technique at pulling the firing lever and said: 'The first one he didn't give it a good enough pull but the second time was faultless.'
He added jokingly: 'I was going to ask him if he could start on Monday.'
The King was then presented with an engraved 105mm cartridge.
Before his departure, Charles chatted to some of the families that had gathered to meet him.
The royal military visit is bound to be a contrast to Charles's agenda yesterday, when he braved the rain in east London as he visited a creative cultural festival and met Hollywood actor Ben McKenzie.
The royal travelled to Old Spitalfields Market, for the city's first ever SXSW festival where businesses and individuals involved in music, technology, screen and culture come together.
The King attempted to keep himself dry in the typical British wet weather by holding up a large brolly as he strolled through the streets of Shoreditch.
As he arrived, the monarch beamed as he met with Karen Gibson of The Kingdom Choir - the same group who sang at the Duke and Duchess of Sussex 's wedding in 2018.
The event originated in Texas but has evolved into a broader festival encompassing some of the key figures in the creative arts and technology industries.
He looked typically stylish and dapper as he stepped out in a navy pinstripe suit paired with a crisp white shirt, a blue tie and highly polished black shoes.
Charles greeted and shook hands with American actor Ben McKenzie, who handed the king his book, Easy Money: Cryptocurrency, Casino Capitalism, and the Golden Age of Fraud.
The OC star - who was sporting a beige suit with a light blue shirt - and Charles beamed as they chatted to each other inside the venue.
The king appeared to be in high spirits as he made his way around the SXSW festival, which thousands of people have visited over the past week.
Charles took a look at an immersive art installation, centred around sustainability, a subject the king has been passionate about since his early twenties.
He first spoke about the dangerous effects of plastic pollution on the environment when he was 21 years old in 1970.
In 2023, he famously said that the 'world does not belong to us' at Cop28 in Dubai, adding that his grandchildren, Prince Louis, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Princess Lilibet and Prince Archie would be living with the effects of our warming planet.
The exhibit was made by a London artist named Damien Roach who called the design Grounding and it uses AI to depict landscape images and show the world's evolution.
The star-studded event is due to have appearances from Idris Elba, Katherine Ryan, Erykah Badu, Alice Glass, and Sophie Turner over the week.
Charles greeted small stall holders as he looked around an antiques stand selling old watches and an ice cream cart.
It comes as the monarch was seen smiling and waving at royal fans as he made his way to church in Sandringham on Sunday.
Charles was being driven to St Mary Magdalene Church for the Sunday morning service when he made the warm gesture.
Pictured in the backseat of a blue vehicle, Charles, who is often accompanied at church by Queen Camilla, 77, appeared to be attending the service alone.
The King looked typically smart in a suit and tie as he waved and beamed at those gathered nearby.
The royal couple last week visited Ottawa, Canada, where Charles, who was diagnosed with cancer in February of last year, addressed the country's parliament.
In the speech, delivered from a throne made of wood from a Windsor oak, the King declared the nation 'strong and free'.
Charles, who was introduced to Parliament as The King of Canada, spoke of his 'deep pride and pleasure' at witnessing 'Canadians coming together in a renewed sense of national pride, unity, and hope'.
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