King Charles cracked a joke about needing a ‘strong drink’ to handle parenting woes during a surprise Royal visit.
The monarch made a light-hearted appearance at an Army barracks, quipping that he had been “allowed out” of his cage and was eager “wanted to come to have a look”.
During his trip to the 3 Royal School of Military Engineering (3RSME) at Gibraltar Barracks in Minley, Surrey, Charles mingled with groups of engineers and their families, listening to their stories of training and the support they get from their partners.
As Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Engineers, Charles was accompanied by Lord Lieutenant Nigel Atkinson and Major General Eldon Millar, and was honoured with a salute from a Quarter Guard of officers from the school.
Upon entering the officers’ mess with Lieutenant Colonel Robert Grant, commanding officer of 3RSME, the King remarked: “I do apologise for taking you by surprise, when this opportunity appeared and I had been allowed out of my cage, I wanted to come to have a look.”, reports the Mirror.
Lt Col Grant gushed to the PA news agency: “We only had six days to pull this together but the only answer from us was ‘yes’. There was a palpable sense of excitement as you saw the units spark into life for the visit.”
When Cpl Newman mentioned he was an electrician, the King quipped to Mrs Newman: “Terribly helpful to have an electrician around.”
To which she humorously retorted: “Well, you say that! “.
Post-visit, Mrs Newman, 34, from Poole, Dorset, shared: “It was amazing, nerve-wracking, but amazing. I just said how many children I had, I said I had three children, and he said ‘It was nothing a strong drink won’t help’. He was really funny, he appeared absolutely fine and upbeat.”
Cpl Newman, 32, reflected: “He is a really lovely person, he liked to engage with you, it wasn’t a fleeting chat, it was an in-depth conversation.”
The King also met officers from the 8 Engineer Brigade HQ, who provide crucial engineering support during military operations. Before bidding farewell, Charles left his mark by signing the regiment’s visitors’ book and was gifted flowers and Royal Engineer china mugs by the children of the barracks’ soldiers.
As Charles prepared to leave, greeting families and staff eagerly waiting outside, he jested: “Aren’t you all meant to be having lunch? ”
The 3RSME, established initially as the Combat Engineer Centre of Excellence in September 1939, is an integral part of every Royal Engineer soldier and officer’s training journey. It’s where they receive their initial trade instruction in combat engineering.
The school is equipped to offer command courses at junior and senior levels, in addition to courses in essential skills such as bridging, demolitions and water supply.
