King Charles III has shared humorous and self-deprecating anecdotes from his time in the Royal Navy, revealing how he once strove to avoid creating "yet another headline" for the tabloids. The monarch spoke during a poignant return to Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth, where he trained over five decades ago.
A Nostalgic Return to Dartmouth
More than 50 years after his own training, the King addressed 191 cadets at the college on Friday. He fondly recalled the six weeks he spent there from 16 September 1971 as a graduate entrant, describing it as foundational for his subsequent naval service. Charles highlighted the practical, if perilous, education he received, joking about learning maritime rules "by trying to avoid being mown down by over-enthusiastic yacht owners" on the River Dart.
Commanding a Ship and Avoiding Tabloid Fame
The King's naval career saw him take command of the Ton-class minehunter HMS Bronington, one of the Navy's last wooden-walled ships. He recounted a particularly challenging moment that has stayed with him. "I 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," he told the assembled company. Charles framed such experiences as "character-building stuff" that has served him well throughout his life.
His service included qualifying as a helicopter pilot in 1974 and joining 845 Naval Air Squadron. Notably, after leaving the Navy in February 1976, he used his £7,400 severance pay to establish what is now known as the King's Trust, a charity dedicated to supporting disadvantaged young people across the UK.
Inspiring the Next Generation of Naval Leaders
Speaking to young officers who had just completed their 29-week training, alongside medical officers and chaplains, the King looked to the future of the Senior Service. He praised the Royal Navy's rapid evolution in the face of new threats, citing its embrace of new technologies, AI-enabled systems, and uncrewed platforms.
"However, vessels and equipment alone do not deliver success – people do," he emphasised. "Your role is to lead those people: to inspire and to create the conditions for excellence, in peace and war." Concluding his speech, he expressed his confidence in the new cohort, stating, "This country is lucky to have you."
The visit included a personal moment with Midshipman Denholm Coxhill, who was inspected by the King. Coxhill described the interaction as "surreal," sharing a light-hearted exchange where he quoted Elton John's "I'm Still Standing" to the monarch. "I'm not going to forget it," the midshipman said, capturing the memorable nature of the day for the new officers.
