The King, in his role as Colonel-in-Chief, visited the Royal Tank Regiment for the first time, riding in a Challenger 2 tank at the Tank Museum in Bovington, Dorset.

He arrived in a 1920 Pattern Rolls-Royce armoured car and joked that the vehicle was very slow.

During the visit, he removed his suit jacket, wore a green safety helmet with a microphone, and sat in the tank’s commander's seat as the convoy toured the museum’s arena.

The King presented medals to soldiers on parade, including Operation Cabrit medals, long service, good conduct awards, and commendations, and met families of regiment personnel.

Alongside the parade, he toured the museum, met former Colonels-Commandant, and reinforced the regiment’s links to its history and modern role.

The visit highlighted the RTR’s evolution from its WWI origins to its current capabilities and confirmed the King’s ongoing ceremonial and symbolic support as Colonel-in-Chief.

Tank Museum leadership and the RTR’s commanding officers described the occasion as meaningful recognition for soldiers and families, underscoring the museum’s role as a key resource for the regiment.

Buckingham Palace noted the offer for future stays remains open, explaining that ongoing refurbishment and security considerations influenced the current arrangement.

Related to the broader royal housing context, a security review influenced Prince Harry’s housing decisions, with a spokesman calling the withdrawal of the Buckingham Palace offer disappointing in light of a recent court judgment.

Prince Harry’s return to the UK is planned for early July to mark the one-year countdown to the Invictus Games 2027, with unclear plans about whether Meghan Markle and the children will accompany him.

News noted that Harry would not stay at Buckingham Palace during his UK visit due to accommodation arrangements and ongoing legal disputes, with varying accounts from his spokesperson regarding hospitality and the Associated Newspapers case.

The King’s visit also included engaging with families and listening to their challenges when soldiers are deployed, adding a human dimension to the ceremonial duties.