The King has voiced his concern about “uncertainty” during a formal Windsor Castle appearance alongside his sister Princess Anne.

King Charles, 76, addressed troops on Monday May 12 during the presentation of new standards to The Life Guards and the Blues and Royals.

Held in the highest regard, the Standards symbolise the Cavalry Squadrons’ history, achievements and identity. But during the ceremonial display at Windsor, the King w.ar.ned of the regiments’ “crucial importance” amid the wider global picture.

King Charles’ words at Windsor Castle

The monarch and the Princess Royal, 74, were in attendance for the Household Cavalry New Standards Parade as he is Colonel in Chief of the Household Cavalry, and she is Colonel of The Blues and Royals.

They inspected the Parade before the Standards were presented. The Standards were also consecrated, with King Charles received on the dais in the Quadrangle at Windsor Castle. A Royal Salute was also presented, which was followed by the National Anthem. Both Princess Anne and her brother in full military dress.

“The Household Cavalry is renowned worldwide for the splendours of all those unique ceremonies at the heart of the nation, and today, seeing you all on parade here, I can see you continue to represent the very best of that ceremonial brilliance.”, King Charles told the regiments.

At such a time of global uncertainty.

The King also addressed why the military’s reputation must be maintained to the highest extent, seemingly referring indirectly to conflicts around the world as he mentioned “at such a time of global uncertainty”.

“It is of crucial importance to preserve the attributes of excellence and achievement for which you are famous, and which are symbolised by these Standards.”, King Charles added.

Paying tribute, he continued by noting: “The battle honours earned by the blood, toil, tears and sweat of soldiers past. They are the embodied soul of the Regiment.”

What else did the king say in his speech?

The King also hailed the history of the regiments, which have served the monarch since 1660. In particular, he made mention of their successes in post-war years after World War Two.

He praised them: “From the Canal Zone, through Malaysia, Northern Ireland, the Falklands, the Gulf, the Balkans, Afghanistan and, more recently, on duty with the United Nations in Cyprus and with Nato in Kosovo.

“You now field modern armour and train not with swords and axes but with snipers and drones. Such substantive historic and recent experience underpins everything which makes the Household Division so special, and credible, in the United Kingdom, among our Allies and around the world.”

Does King Charles own Windsor Castle?

In recent years, King Charles’ personal fortune has been estimated to be as much as £2 billion. And it has been reported his property interests may be valued as high as £330 million.

The majority of the palaces and royal residences King Charles can make use of do not actually belong to him. For instance, Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palace are owned by the sovereign in right of the crown.

Yet, though he inherited Balmoral and Sandringham estates from his late mother, he does not own Windsor Castle. It belongs to the Crown, but not Charles personally.