UK (Commonwealth Union)_ King Charles III and Queen Camilla were awarded a rousing reception as they stepped onto a Portsmouth vessel in France on the final part of their three day state visit.
The King and Queen visited HMS Iron Duke and were greeted by crew at a reception aboard the Type 23 frigate in Bordeaux on Friday.
On the neighboring jetty, the Band of His Majesty’s Royal Marines Lympstone provided musical accompaniment while a Royal Guard and the national anthem greeted the royal couple.
Once aboard ship, their Majesties were led to the warship’s flight deck and welcomed by members of the local Bordeaux community, representatives of veterans charities within the Bordeaux community, and local government officials, with the Royal Standard hoisted to mark the occasion. The royal guests chatted with guests and members of Iron Duke’s 200-strong ship’s company.
Commanding Officer Commander James Wallington-Smith said that it has been the greatest privilege and honor for HMS Iron Duke to be able to support Their Majesties’ first State Visit to France since the Coronation, while the visit was an opportunity to mark their long standing relationship with friends in the Marine Nationale and wider French Armed Forces.
According to him, it reinforced their shared values and continued to ensure their navies were evolving to be ever more interoperable, capable, and sustainable. Engineering Technicians Laurynas Berenis and Harrison Smith who were responsible for maintaining the frigate’s complex weapons systems and sensors, were among the Royal Guard for The King and Queen.
Laurynas stated that it was an honor and a privilege to be part of the Gun Carriage crew for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s funeral, and that receiving the RVM from His Majesty King Charles was a surreal moment that will never be forgotten. He said that to be part of the Guard of Honor for His Majesty’s State visit to France was an extremely proud moment.
Harrison added that he felt very proud to have been awarded the RVM, and now being a part of the guard of honor for His Majesty The King’s visit to Bordeaux was something he could have only dreamed of. HMS Iron Duke recently represented the Royal Navy at the DSEI conference in London earlier this month.
