Prince Charles laid a wreath of red poppies on behalf of the Queen for the fourth time since 2017. And he is believed to have done so wearing his full honours and medals appointed on his chest underneath his military coat.
Unlike his brother Prince Andrew, son Prince Harry or father Prince Philip, the Prince of Wales, being the direct heir to the throne has never fought in a conflict.
This means he never awarded any medals for valour in combat.
However, Prince Charles served in the Army and has obtained through both his military and royal service several awards.
Charles obtained his first medal when he was just a child.
In June 1953, he received the Queen’s Coronation medal, issued when the monarch was crowned in Westminster Abbey.
This medal was awarded to those attending the coronation in person to celebrate the historic day.
The Prince received two other medals marking the Queen’s key milestones in her reign.
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Having attended the Queen’s Silver Jubilee in 1977 and the Golden Jubilee in 2002, the Prince of Wales can showcase on his chest two medals issued after the event.
The Prince of Wales was also awarded honours for his service in the British Armed Forces.
In 1975 he was awarded the GCB, also known as the Order of the Bath and formerly the Most Honourable Military Order of the Bath.
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In 2001, Prince Charles’s distinguished service in the Army was acknowledged, with the heir being awarded the Order of Merit.
Between 1971 and 1977, the heir to the throne served in both the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force.
During those years, he trained in undersea warfare and commanded a Royal Navy Destroyer.
He also qualified as helicopters and twin-engine jet fighters pilot in 1974.
The Prince of Wales remained a pilot for several years, flying both helicopters and jets until 1994.
During his training, Charles completed the parachute regiment’s jump training.
Prince Charles, future King and head of the Commonwealth, also received awards from Canada and New Zealand.
In 1982, Charles was awarded the Canadian forces decoration for auxiliary forces of the Commonwealth of Nations.
In 1983, he received the Queen’s Service Order, issued by the New Zealand’s Government.
In 1990, New Zealand awarded the prince and 2999 more people the 1990 Commemoration medal for the contribution they have made to some aspect of New Zealand’s life.
Finally, the Prince of Wales has been awarded the Knight of Most Noble Order of the Garter.
Yesterday, Prince Charles took centre stage at the Royal Albert Hall during the Festival of Remembrance to acknowledge and honour the effort by the armed forces in helping key workers and NHS staff during the ongoing pandemic.
During his impassioned speech focused on the values taught to younger generations by the veterans and the importance of the freedoms they fought for, the Prince of Wales showcased on his chest his awards.
