The Prince of Wales joined King Charles and Queen Camilla as they hosted a special reception for members of the Victoria and George Cross Association at Windsor Castle this evening.
Prince William, 42, is the President of the Victoria and George Cross Association that represents all living holders of the bravery medals.
He follows in the footsteps of his father, King Charles, 76, and his great grandmother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, who have both served as President before him.
The reception is an annual tradition and the association is among the King’s patronages – with Charles taking on the role after by his late mother, Her Majesty The Queen’s passing.
For today’s event, Camila, 77, picked an elegant, full-sleeved, green dress as the Queen was seen chatting happily with members of the association, including Victoria Cross recipient and former Australian soldier Keith Payne VC.
The Former Warrant Officer, now 89, received his medal after his unit came under attack and he was seriously injured by a grenade, with shrapnel wounds to his skull, arms and hands, at Ben Het Camp during the Vietnam War in May 1969.
Meanwhile, Prince William enjoyed a chat with Major Peter Norton, who was awarded the George Cross for his bravery in Iraq in 2005.
The bomb disposal expert lost his left leg and part of his left arm in a blast near Baghdad in 2005. Despite his injuries, he continued leading his team, fearing further devices, and refused to be evacuated until he was sure all personnel knew of the danger.
The Prince of Wales joined King Charles and Queen Camilla as they hosted a special reception for members of the Victoria and George Cross Association at Windsor Castle this evening. They are seen here with living recipients of the medals
The reception is an annual tradition and the association is among the King’s patronages – with Charles taking on the role whiich was fulfilled by his late mother, Her Majesty The Queen since 1957
Later, Charles, Camilla, and William joined members of the association for a group photo in Windsor Castle as part of a continuing tradition. The recipients will all receive a copy of the portait as a keepsake.
The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest military decoration awarded for valour ‘in the face of the enemy’ to members of the armed forces.
The George Cross (GC) is the highest civil decoration and is awarded to those who have displayed the greatest heroism or the most conspicuous courage whilst in extreme danger.
Earlier in the day, the King and Queen hosted Sweden’s King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia for a special tree planting at Windsor tonight.
The Swedish Oak is a gift from the Scandinavian sovereign to celebrate the British royals’ coronation in May 2023 – two years on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Prince William yesterday returned to the UK following a very special two-day trip to the Isle of Mull and Iona, accompanied by the Princess of Wales. The first day of their visit to the Scottish island coincided with the royal couple’s 14th wedding anniversary.
Today’s reception for the Victoria and George Cross Association comes one day after the King issued a moving message about his ‘frightening’ cancer diagnosis on Wednesday.
In what has been described as Charles’ most ‘personal’ statement about being diagnosed with the illness, the monarch revealed he had taken inspiration from the late Dame Deborah James.
Prince William enjoyed a chat with Major Peter Norton, who was awarded the George Cross for his bravery in Iraq in 2005.
Camila, 77, picked an elegant, full-sleeved, green dress as the Queen was seen chatting happily with members of the association, including Victoria Cross recipient and former Australian soldier, Keith Payne VC
The Prince of Wales in conversation with guests at the reception at Windsor Castle
She urged sufferers, he said, with moving magnificence to ‘find a life worth enjoying; take risks; love deeply; have no regrets; and always, always have rebellious hope.’
His Majesty’s ‘poignant’ words were addressed to fellow sufferers, as they attended a reception at Buckingham Palace hosted by Charles to recognise the incredible work of community-based cancer organisations last evening.
The King is himself still undergoing regular treatments as someone ‘living with cancer’, although aides say his recovery continues in a ‘very positive direction, as reflected with the very full national and international diary programme’ he is undertaking.
The personally-penned message from Charles’ desk has added significance given that his daughter-in-law, the Princess of Wales, was also diagnosed with cancer within weeks of his own diagnosis last year and underwent preventative chemotherapy.
In his message, Charles thanked those who so ‘selflessly’ work to provide care, comfort and reassurance to the 390,000 people who receive a new cancer diagnosis across the UK each year – as well as those working to treat the diseases and raise funds for research.
‘Each diagnosis, each new case, will be a daunting and at times frightening experience for those individuals and their loved ones,’ he wrote.
‘As one among those statistics myself, I can vouch for the fact that it can also be an experience that brings into sharp focus the very best of humanity,’ Charles continued.
‘It has certainly given me an even deeper appreciation of the extraordinary work undertaken by the remarkable organisations and individuals gathered here this evening, many of whom I have known, visited and supported over the years.
The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest military decoration awarded for valour ‘in the face of the enemy’ to members of the armed forces, while the George Cross is the highest civil decoration for those who have displayed the greatest heroism or the most conspicuous courage whilst in extreme danger
Prince William , 42, serves as the President of the Victoria and George Cross Association that represents all living holders of the UK’s Victoria Cross and George Cross medals
King Charles greeting guests at today’s reception
‘And it has reinforced what I have long observed during these visits – that the darkest moments of illness can be illuminated by the greatest compassion.’
He added with added poignancy: ‘You have my whole family’s deepest admiration and gratitude.’
The King was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer in January last year following routine surgery for an enlarged prostate.
Buckingham Palace have not confirmed what form he has, but have ruled out it being connected with his prostate issue.
They have also not disclosed what treatment he is still undertaking.
