Afghanistan

Prince Charles gives Black Watch soldiers a royal send-off

Hundreds of soldiers, who are due to be deployed to Afghanistan this month, have been given a royal send-off from Prince Charles.

The heir to the throne joined The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland, at a family day at Fort George, near Inverness.

Charles, who is known as the Duke of Rothesay when he is visiting Scotland, delighted the soldiers by wearing the company's new uniform for the event, which was attended by more than 1,200 people.

The 480-strong battalion, based at the barracks in Ardersier, are due to start a six-month tour of duty in Nad-e-Ali, in Helmand province, where they will be working alongside the Afghan security forces.

Arriving by helicopter shortly before 11am, Charles was piped in by the regiment's pipe and drum band and watched a parade of more than 100 soldiers representing the five companies within the Black Watch regiment.

The parade was led by the Colour Party who displayed the company's colours which were presented to them by the Queen earlier this year.

Charles told the soldiers he was proud to be associated with the battalion - as his family has had a connection to the regiment since the First World War.

He said: "The colours on parade today will follow you to Afghanistan, along with, I can assure you, my constant thoughts and best wishes, and I hope they will serve as a continuing source of inspiration during your deployment.

"I would also like to take this opportunity to stress the importance of all the families here today.

"Your continued support and forbearance has been a tremendous strength to the battalion. As a father myself I have some idea of what is endured by those left behind.

"All of you here today stand together as one great battalion family and my thought and prayers are with you all."

Following his speech the Duke of Rothesay presented medals to Colours Sergeant John Barrie and Captain Scott Mackenzie for long service and good conduct.

Captain Mackenzie, who was awarded his meritorious service medal for helping students at the Army Foundation College in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, raise more than £140,000 for the Army Benevolent Fund, said he was honoured to receive his medal from Charles, who is the regiment's royal colonel.

Charles also met soldiers and their families during his visit.

Paul Torrance, 37, who has served in the Army for 15 years and lives in Inverness, attended the event with his wife, Judie, 42, and daughter Natasha, 21.

Mrs Torrance said yesterday she was used to her husband being away "but it doesn't make it any easier".

His daughter Natasha said she thought the duke was very friendly and down to earth.

She said: "He asked me if I was going to marry a soldier when I was older but I told him definitely not."

Mr Torrance, who has been deployed to Helmand province before, said: "We've done so much training for it, I just want to get over there now and do our job."

The Duke of Rothesay rounded off his visit with a stop at The Highlanders Museum at Fort George and a tour around some of the stalls at the event which displayed the Army's uniforms and weapons.

A crowd gathered at around 2pm at the gates of the fort to wave him off.

Picture: MoD