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Prince of Wales 'puts soldiers at ease' on regiment visit

Kirsten RobertsonWiltshire
News imageJustin Tallis/PA Wire Woman in camouflage gear wears a beret and talks to Prince William who is also in camouflage gear. He is who is mid speech and gesturing. They are both wearing dark brown military beretsJustin Tallis/PA Wire
The Prince of Wales met Captain Maria Bell, head of the Mercian Female Network

The Prince of Wales "put people at ease" and joked about his facial hair in a visit to a military barracks.

He met with troops from the Mercian Regiment earlier today in Bulford, Wiltshire, in his role as their Colonel-in-Chief.

Sporting a camouflage uniform and regimental beret, he met soldiers recently returned from a deployment to Estonia, and sat down with female soldiers to discuss issues they face in the armed forces.

Lieutenant Jack Austin, 23, was sporting a moustache when he met the prince, who he said joked to him "'maybe I should get rid of the beard and just have the moustache".

News imagePrince William, in his camouflage gear, sits on blue chair and speaks to women in military attire.
The royal spoke to female soldiers about their experiences within the regiment
News imagePrince William. He is wearing camouflage gear and is sat on a chair looking to the side while speaking to a group.
The Prince discussed a new initiative to bring women in the military together for regular chats

Lt Austin, who is originally from Manchester and brought his grandparents to the event, said Prince William "put people at ease" and was "very friendly".

He added: "His knowledge on army affairs is immense, obviously having been through Sandhurst himself, but also in knowing what we've been up to. He was very keen to hear about how Estonia was for us.

"I think it means a lot, having a Colonel-in-Chief come visit, not just as a royal and HRH. Getting that personal connection... was genuinely amazing."

News imageJUSTIN TALLIS/Pool via REUTERS Soldiers stood together in a group photo. They are all in camouflage gear and Prince William is stood among them on the back rowJUSTIN TALLIS/Pool via REUTERS
William posed for a group photo with some of the soldiers
News imagePeople stood around a white table smiling with cups of tea in front of them. Prince William is among them and his smiling at a man who is holding his young daughter, who has long dark brown hair
Military families were able to enjoy a cup of tea and cake during the visit
News imageJustin Tallis/PA Wire Prince William and a soldier in camouflage gear lean into each other and discuss something out of shot. They are both wearing ear defender type headphonesJustin Tallis/PA Wire
The Prince observed a demonstration of the use of drones in urban combat

Historically recruited from the five counties that formed the ancient kingdom of Mercia - and known as The Heart of England's Infantry - the Mercian regiment was formed in 2007.

The regiment has been deployed on more than 15 operational tours since its formation.

News imageJUSTIN TALLIS/Pool via REUTERS Britain's Prince William, Prince of Wales as Colonel-in-Chief of the Regiment, poses with soldiers of the 1st Battalion Mercian Regiment and family members following their six-month deployment to Estonia, in Bulford, Britain, March 26, 2026. JUSTIN TALLIS/Pool via REUTERSJUSTIN TALLIS/Pool via REUTERS
The Prince of Wales is Colonel-in-Chief of the 1st Battalion Mercian Regiment
News imageJustin Tallis/PA Wire Prince William smiling slightly at a man holding a young girl in his armsJustin Tallis/PA Wire
The Prince asked soldiers and their families about the impacts of deployments
News imageJustin Tallis/PA Wire Prince William shakes hand with a young soldier as other soldiers line up next to him.Justin Tallis/PA Wire
The Prince of Wales met many soldiers during his visit

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