The King was speaking with British Army veteran Aaron Mapplebeck, who underwent nine weeks of intensive chemotherapy last year for testicular cancer, at the Army Aviation Centre in Middle Wallop
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King Charles attends Army Air Corps in special ceremony for Prince William
King Charles has revealed he lost his sense of taste while undergoing treatment for cancer on a royal visit with Prince William today.
He shared the comment while speaking to British Army veteran Aaron Mapplebeck, who underwent nine weeks of intensive chemotherapy last year for testicular cancer. Mr Mapplebeck mentioned that he lost his sense of taste and the King remarked that it happened to him too.
The King was with William at the Army Aviation Centre in Middle Wallop, Hampshire, where Prince William is set to become the Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps. The royal father and son were seen to embrace and were all smiles for the symbolic handover.
King Charles said William was a “very good pilot indeed” and says he has been “very proud to be involved” with the Army Air Corp “all this time”.
The King told how he was “tinged with sadness” as he officially handed over Colonel in Chief of the Army Air Corps to his son and heir, Prince William. Speaking inside the Army Flying Museum at the Army Aviation Centre in Middle Wallop, Hampshire, Charles joked that the regiment will be left in safe hands.
“What a great joy it is to be here on this occasion,” he told veterans, families and staff. “But also it is tinged with great sadness after 32 years of knowing you all and admiring your many activities and your achievements.”
The King said: “Having had the pleasure of knowing you for so long I do hope you’ll go from strength to strength in the future with the Prince of Wales as your new colonel in chief, the great thing is he’s a very good pilot, so that’s encouraging.”
The monarch made no mention of his youngest son Prince Harry however, who served with the regiment during his second tour of Afghanistan.
The ceremonial title would likely have been given to Harry, 39, if he had not chosen to step down as a working member of the Royal Family in 2020.
Charles, 75, held the role for 32 years and it was announced in August last year that the Prince would take over the appointment.
Both brothers are trained military pilots, but Harry personally served in the Army Air Corps for three-and-a-half years.
As heir to the throne, William was not involved in active conflict during his time in the military, but he did serve as a search and rescue pilot and later as an air ambulance pilot.
On arrival at the Army Aviation Centre in Middle Wallop, Hampshire, the King was met by a Guard of Honour and Lieutenant General Sir Nicholas Borton, Colonel Commandant of the Army Air Corps, who escorted the King to The Army Flying Museum.
He went on an impromptu walkabout to greet some schoolchildren from Middle Wallop School, who were gathered waving Union flags. Asked if their parents are part of the Regiment, he was told that 60-70 percent are.
He then headed inside the museum, which tells the story of the British army flying from the early days of military ballooning to the modern Army Air Corps. Inside, the monarch chatted to veterans, soldiers and their families.
One veteran, Aaron Mappleback, told the King that he underwent nine weeks intensive chemotherapy for testicular cancer last February and is now almost a year post treatment.
His majesty commented on the “loss of taste” when undergoing cancer treatment, something he recently brought up during his visit to a London hospital two weeks ago.
After spending some time speaking with families, the King unveiled a plaque to commemorate the arrival of the first Apache AH Mk.1 to be installed in a UK museum where he gave the short speech.
This Apache, now at The Army Flying Museum, was one of two that carried troops on their stub wings in the Battle of Jugroom Fort, Afghanistan, in 2007.
The Duke of Sussex qualified as an Apache helicopter commander in 2013 after three years of training.
While on a five-month tour in Afghanistan, he served as a co-pilot gunner – sharing flying duties and taking control of the weapons of the two-man Apache.
After departing the museum, Charles walked across the airfield to the Middle Wallop Control Tower.
He was met by the Prince to officially hand over the role of Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps.
The King handed him the regiment’s beret and stable belt in front of the Apache before speaking to serving aircrew.
As the King left, William embarked on his first engagement as the new Colonel-in-Chief. He received a briefing on the Army Air Corps’ current work from the Colonel Commandant, Lieutenant General Sir Nicholas Borton.
They were stood in front of an Apache helicopter, the same as the type Prince Harry flew in service for his second tour of Afghanistan until 2014. Prince Harry, who was in the Army Air Corps (AAC) for more than three years, qualified as an Apache commander in 2012.
King Charles revealed he has cancer earlier this year and is undergoing treatment. Prince William’s wife Kate is also undergoing treatment for cancer.
