King Charles praised for ‘faultless’ firing technique at Larkhill

King Charles III has been praised for his “faultless” firing technique after using an artillery gun during a visit to the home of the Royal Artillery.

The King, wearing the number four tropical dress uniform, accepted an invitation to fire a L118 light gun while at the headquarters of the Royal Regiment of Artillery at Larkhill, near Salisbury, in Wiltshire.

He looked delighted and Sgt Neil Mitchell, of 14 Regt, 34 Battery, joked: “I was going to ask him if he could start on Monday.”

The King was met with a 21-gun salute for his first visit to the site since assuming the title of Captain General in 2022.

Following the national anthem, King Charles was invited into the officers’ mess where he met personnel including representatives from the newly formed King’s Gurkha Artillery (KGA).

The King also met representatives of the reserves as he was informed about the different roles within the Royal Artillery.

Staff Sgt Bethan Preston-Newman, of the 104th Regiment based in Newport, Wales, said: “It was a once-in-lifetime opportunity to meet the King and really nice to explain what the reserves do.”

Lance Bombardier Rebecca Haynes, also based in Newport, said: “It was a great honour to be here and represent the regiment.”

The King had a chance to see historical artefacts in the dining room, including the voluntary artillery officer full dress tunic uniform of his great grandfather, George V.

He said the uniform has “lasted very well”.

In the grounds, the King was shown some of the equipment used by soldiers including the Archer artillery system, a multiple launch rocket system and drones.

He accepted an invitation to take the seated position of the L118 light gun to fire a single shot.

He put on a set of ear defenders as he sat in the firing seat and called “ready” and visibly winced as he pulled the firing lever.

Sgt Mitchell said: “The first one he didn’t give it a good enough pull but the second time was faultless.”

Before his departure, King Charles was presented with an engraved 105mm cartridge to mark his first visit as Captain General.