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Royal News

Poignant moment for King Charles as he returns to roots just days after health admission

King Charles wears a naval cap during a visit to Dartmouth

The King was back at the place his own naval career began as he oversaw an important ceremony.

King Charles was at Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth in Devon to oversee the Lord High Admiral’s Divisions, the traditional naval parade marking the end of training for over 190 naval cadets.

Sailors promoted from the ranks and international cadets also took part in the event.

King Charles wear naval uniform as he tours Dartmouth
LPhot Kevin Walton/ UK MOD © Crown copyright 2025

King Charles, in full naval uniform, took the salute during the ceremony which took place on a cold, bright day.

Dartmouth is filled with memories for The King who attended the Britannia Royal Naval College and passed out of it almost 55 years ago.

It also holds a special place in Royal Family history for Prince Philip also trained here and had one of his earliest meetings with Queen Elizabeth II at Dartmouth.

The King looked wistful at times as he toured the College and inspected the cadets who have all undergone intensive training.

His visit comes just a week after he revealed that doctors have agreed he can reduce his cancer treatment next year. The King said early detection was a major reason for his improving health situation and urged everyone to take up testing whenever it is possible for them.

King Charles laughs as he tours Dartmouth naval college
LPhot Kevin Wilton/ UK MOD © Crown copyright 2025

The visit to Dartmouth follows a busy week which saw King Charles trying to pull the perfect pint of Guinness and holding a reception for the crew of the HMS Prince of Wales.

Buckingham Palace was also filled with the wider Royal Family during the earlier part of the week as King Charles and Queen Camilla hosted a Christmas lunch to celebrate the season with as many of their relatives as possible.

The King and Queen will head to Sandringham soon to start their festivities where it’s expected they will be joined by the Prince and Princess of Wales and their three children, George, Charlotte and Louis as well as Princess Anne and her family.

About author

Lydia Starbuck is Editor in Chief at Royal Central and the main producer and presenter of the Royal Central Podcast and Royal Central Extra. Lydia is also a pen name of June Woolerton who is a journalist and writer with over twenty years experience in TV, radio, print and online. Her latest book, A History of British Royal Jubilees, is out now. Her new book, The Mysterious Death of Katherine Parr, will be published in March 2024. June is an award winning reporter, producer and editor. She's appeared on outlets including BBC 5 Live, BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Local Radio and has also helped set up a commercial radio station. June is also an accomplished writer with a wide range of material published online and in print. She is the author of two novels, published as e-books. She is also a marriage registrar and ceremony celebrant.