The King and Queen welcomed hundreds of military personnel to Buckingham Palace for separate receptions honouring their service and dedication on Tuesday evening.
His Majesty, as Commander-in-Chief of the British Armed Forces, hosted around 340 people and spoke to service members.
Meanwhile, during the Queen’s reception, Warrant Officer Danny Manifold from HMS Astute reflected on the strong ties between the Royal Navy and the Royal Family.
He recalled Camilla’s thoughtful gesture during a 2020 visit to the Scottish naval base.
‘At the height of the Covid pandemic, she had presented caterers on board HMS Astute with tea and biscuits specifically, English Breakfast tea and shortbread for all 135 submariners. It went down very well with the crew,’ Manifold said.
‘She writes at least once a year to us. Everyone really knows that she’s really involved.’
She apologised then that she was unable to shake crew members’ hands, due to the coronavirus pandemic – and thanked them ‘from the bottom of my heart’ for their service.
Camilla, 77, worked her way around the room, chatting to various guests in an eye-catching emerald green frock and black suede boots.
Camilla, 77, worked her way around the room, chatting to various guests in an eye-catching emerald green frock and black suede boots
The King’s event, which lasted more than an hour, saw him engaged in animated conversation with guests – and his ‘eyes lit up’ with the mention of James Bond author Ian Fleming.
Charles demonstrated a keen interest in the heritage during a recent engagement with service personnel, particularly in the history of the elite Number 30 Commando unit.
The unit, originally proposed by James Bond creator Ian Fleming during World War II, remains an integral part of the UK Commando Force today.
Lieutenant Colonel Chris Armstrong, a member of the unit, noted the King enthusiasm when discussing its origins.
‘His eyes lit up a little bit when we talked about that connection,’ Armstrong said, highlighting the monarch’s appreciation for its storied past.
Lieutenant Colonel Chris Armstrong, from the UK Commando Force, described his conversation with the King on Tuesday as ‘really special’.
‘It means a great deal to us… that we have moments to share like this with the King,’ he said.
The King, 76, looked dapper in a navy pinstripe suit with a crisp white shirt and a baby blue patterned tie, complete with black polished shoes.
King Charles is pictured speaking to Air Vice-Marshal Adrian Burns during a reception for military personnel at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday
Queen Camilla looks in high spirits as she speaks to guests at the reception at Buckingham Palace
King Charles smiles as he meets guests and hosts a reception at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday
During the reception, it was revealed that Queen Camilla had presented shortbread biscuits and tea to submariners during the pandemic
King Charles is snapped taking a sip of water as he chats to military personnel
The monarch appeared ecstatic at the reception as he greeted and engaged with guests
The visit reinforced the close relationship between the monarchy and the armed forces, with King Charles carrying forward the tradition of engagement and support for those who serve.
Earlier on Tuesday, the monarch met faith leaders at Buckingham Palace after the signing of a framework to lay the foundation for a transformative relationship between Jewish and Muslim communities – which he called ‘marvellous’.
The ‘Reconciliation Accords’ were signed by faith leaders on Tuesday at Spencer House, London, after Muslim and Jewish religious and civic leaders were welcomed to Drumlanrig Castle in Scotland last month by the Duke of Buccleuch for an event convened by Chief Imam Dr Sayed Razawi, Buckingham Palace said.
Agreed at Drumlanrig Castle, the Accords aim to create enduring frameworks for collaboration and understanding, ensuring Jewish and Muslim communities can navigate challenges together while fostering mutual respect and solidarity, the palace added.
Charles welcomed the faith leaders to the palace’s 1844 room on Tuesday afternoon.
The King first spoke to Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis, Chief Imam Dr Sayed Razawi, Senior Imam Qari Asim and Rabbi Josh Levy.
Speaking to Dr Razawi, Charles said: ‘I’m so glad to hear about this marvellous exercise.’ He added that ‘it seems to have stood you all in good stead’.
Queen Camilla wore her golden blonde tresses down in her signature wavy blow-dry
Queen Camilla opted to don a strikingly chic green for the event on Tuesday evening
The Queen was seen shaking hands with guests who were proudly sporting all of their medals
The King, 76, looked dapper in a navy pinstripe suit with a crisp white shirt and a baby blue patterned tie
The visit on Tuesday reinforced the close relationship between the monarchy and the armed forces
Sir Ephraim thanked Charles, saying: ‘Thank you so much for blessing us on this historic day.’
The King replied: ‘It’s the least I could do, you know that.’ Sir Ephraim added: ‘We believe it’s the only way forward.’
The King spent time speaking to the faith leaders in the room before they posed for a photograph.
Last month at Drumlanrig Castle, 11 denominations from Judaism and Islam were represented in discussions focusing on the future of Jewish-Muslim relations, particularly in the context of global tensions and the impact on relationships between these communities, Buckingham Palace said.
The UK Faith Minister, Lord Khan of Burnley, and representatives of the UK and Scottish Governments and the European Commission attended as observers, and the First Minister of Scotland addressed the gathering on the closing evening, the palace added.
In a statement about the Accords sent to the media, Sir Ephraim said: ‘The Drumlanrig Accords represent a bold first step towards rebuilding a meaningful trust between Muslim and Jewish communities over the long term.
King Charles is pictured with Dr Sayed Razawi (L) and Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis (R) at Buckingham Palace after the signing of the Muslim-Jewish Reconciliation Accords
‘They do not gloss over our differences, they acknowledge them. But they also send out a powerful message that in times of division, when it is far easier to retreat into fear and suspicion, we are prepared to take the more challenging path to reconciliation. We do so not because it is easy, but because it is necessary.
‘My hope is that these Accords will now inspire others and give them the confidence to similarly reach out beyond their communities, so that over time, we can built greater trust and social cohesion across the UK and beyond.’
A statement from Dr Razawi said: ‘As people of faith, we have a duty to rise above division and lead with wisdom, compassion, and unity.
‘This accord is not just a statement, it is a commitment to healing, to dialogue, and disagree agreeably.’
