Prince Charles is to be given three honorary appointments in the New Zealand Armed Forces when he visits in November.
The Prince of Wales is to be made Admiral of the Fleet, a Field Marshal for the army and Marshal of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, Prime Minister John Key has announced.
Picture by i-Images
“These appointments recognise the consistent and strong support Prince Charles has maintained for the New Zealand Defence Force,” Key said.
“Speaking at this year’s ANZAC Day Dawn Service in Gallipoli, the Prince demonstrated a deep empathy and understanding for the contribution and sacrifice of our Defence Force personnel in conflicts and peace keeping operations around the world.”
The Prince has strong connections to the British Armed Forces, having qualified as an RAF pilot in 1971, also spending five years in the Navy. He then went on to get his helicopter pilot license in 1974.
Charles was appointed as Air Commodore-in-Chief of the New Zealand Air Force by his mother in 1977; he held the position of Marshal of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, and gave that role up to take on his new appointment.
Just a few months ago, Prince Charles and his sister, Princess Anne were given similar honorary appointments in Canada, again, positions given by Her Majesty.
Charles and Camilla are scheduled to visit in November, three years after their last trip to mark The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee; they will also spend time in Australia, hoping to build on the success of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry.
