His Majesty King Charles III has had a long relationship with the UK Armed Forces spanning decades. First as the Prince of Wales and now as the British Monarch, he has held a special connection with the Royal Air Force and, we were honoured to celebrate and be a significant part of the Coronation of Their Majesties the King and Queen Consort.
His Majesty the King took flying lessons with the RAF in a Chipmunk aircraft during his second year of university. In 1971 he successfully completed flying training in the Jet Provost aircraft at RAF Cranwell.
During his RAF training he became the first heir to the throne to conduct a parachute jump. He went on to complete a further seven jumps during his two weeks of training with No.1 Parachute Training School at RAF Brize Norton.
Prince Charles' unequivocal good humour and courtesy earned the unequivocal respect of a large cross-section of the Royal Air Force.
The RAF’s role in the Coronation
894 RAF aviators took part in the ceremony for the Coronation on 6 May 2023.
RAF aviators were on Parade, with hundreds more supporting behind the scenes, including drill instructors, medics, police, drivers, transport managers, armoury staff, chefs, and caterers.
RAF Musicians join the celebration
140 RAF musicians played a key role in the Coronation celebrations.
14 RAF Musicians performed fanfares specially composed for the Coronation Service. The Band of the Royal Air Force Regiment provided musical support to the RAF street lining contingent.
An 80 piece Band made up of personnel from The Central Band of the RAF, the Band of the RAF Regiment, the Band of the RAF College and the Band of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, marched during the procession.
It will be the greatest honour to perform as part of the Coronation celebrations. It’s events like this that initiated my interest in joining the RAF. His Majesty The King is our new boss and to play a part in supporting his Accession and Coronation is a special moment, both professionally and personally.
AIR SPECIALIST (CLASS 1) POPPY EWENCE, MEMBER OF THE COMBINED BANDS OF THE RAF
The Royal Air Force Queen's Colour Squadron became the King's Colour Squadron by royal decree from 27 October 2022.
A new King’s Colour for the Royal Air Force was produced and consecrated at Buckingham Palace on 27 April 2023.
Colours were used as rallying points on the battlefield, helping troops locate each other and avoid becoming disoriented. The King’s Colour for the Royal Air Force was approved by King George VI in 1947. The Colour is of RAF light blue silk, with light blue and silver tassels and fringe.
The Coronation flypast featured aircraft from across the UK Armed Forces. From the RAF there were several models of helicopter, Spitfires, a Lancaster, Hurricanes, 18 Typhoon FGR4s, an Envoy IV and many more from our fleet, covering the past, present and future of the RAF.
It also featured the first flypast involvement of the RAF’s new Envoy IV CC1 aircraft which led the 9 Hawks from the Red Arrows, the RAF’s Aerobatics Team. The Red Arrows concluded the flypast.
I was awarded my Pilot Wings from the then Prince Charles and Camilla at my graduation ceremony in 2009 after I completed my Helicopter Training. This was the same course graduation that Prince William received his wings and I am proud to have served with him. It is fitting that I am now able to fly the Puma for His Majesty the King’s Coronation.
SQUADRON LEADER KARIM ZID, CAPTAIN OF THE PUMA HELICOPTER
King Charles III is now the Commander-in-Chief of the UK Armed Forces, but he started his military career earning his pilot wings in the Royal Air Force. InsideAIR meets two of his flying instructors and goes for a flight in The Royal Chipmunk WP903, the aircraft in which the young Prince Charles learnt to fly.
