King Charles shown missile launcher on barracks visit

King Charles III met military families when he visited a West Sussex barracks and had a go at handling an air defence missile launcher.

Troops at Baker Barracks on Thorney Island, West Sussex, said he would pass a test to use the machinery.

The King also looked through the aiming unit of the launcher, when fired, would take about four seconds to destroy a target.

Lt Col Maarten Magee said it was a privilege to give King Charles a "flavour of what we are facing".

He added that the King was interested in how the forces were dealing with modern threats.

King Charles, Capt Gen of the Royal Regiment of Artillery, also known as the Gunners, arrived by helicopter and was greeted by a 21-gun salute.

The King spoke to military service personnel based in Saudi Arabia, Estonia, Cyprus and the Falklands by video link in the Junior Ranks' Restaurant, which he officially opened on Thursday.

Five-year-old Poppy, whose father Sgt Jack Harding is in the Falklands, gave the King a letter after he spoke to the overseas soldiers.

Poppy's mother, Charley Harding, 28, said the children would love a reply.

Meanwhile, King Charles spoke to Jade McGowan, whose husband Andrew McGowan is in Cyprus and does not yet have a date to come home.

The King asked about her nearly eight-month-old twins, Hamish and Brodie, and about her husband being away.

"It's hard, we are doing what we can," she said.

After their meeting, the 36-year-old called the King "really friendly".

Founded in 1716, it is believed the Gunners has served in every conflict the British Army has been in.

The King became ceremonial chief of the Royal Artillery on 11 August 2023, in a role first taken by King George VI in 1947, followed by Queen Elizabeth II in 1952.