King Charles revealed that he lost his sense of taste while undergoing treatment for cancer in an emotional moment during a royal visit to the Army Aviation Centre in Middle Wallop, Hampshire. The 75-year-old monarch shared this personal insight while speaking with British Army veteran Aaron Mapplebeck, who underwent nine weeks of intensive chemotherapy last year for testicular cancer.
The King's revelation came during a special ceremony where he officially handed over command of Prince Harry's former regiment, the Army Air Corps, to his heir, Prince William. The rare joint engagement for Charles and William took place on the same day that Harry and his wife Meghan Markle are expected to return to the UK from their 'quasi-royal' tour in Nigeria before heading back to their home in Los Angeles.
During the ceremony, King Charles bestowed the prestigious position of Colonel-in-Chief of The Army Air Corps to Prince William, who will now represent the Army's airborne wing, including his brother's former unit, 662 Squadron. The role was widely thought to have been given to Harry, had he not stepped back from royal life in 2020.
As the King arrived at the Army Aviation Centre, he was met by a Guard of Honour and Lieutenant General Sir Nicholas Borton, Colonel Commandant of the Army Air Corps. He then proceeded to meet with veterans and their families at the base, where he had the emotional exchange with Mr. Mapplebeck about their shared experience of losing their sense of taste during cancer treatment.
During the handover ceremony, which took place in front of an Apache attack helicopter, the kind co-piloted by Harry in Afghanistan, King Charles expressed his pride in being involved with the Army Air Corps for the past 31 years. "I do hope you'll go from strength to strength with the Prince of Wales as your new Colonel-in-Chief," he said, adding, "The great thing is he's a very good pilot indeed.. I can't tell you how proud it has made me to have been involved with you all this time."
After the King's departure, Prince William embarked on his first engagement with the Army Air Corps as Colonel-in-Chief, receiving a briefing on its work, meeting staff and families, and inspecting operational aircraft. He also had the opportunity to fly in an Apache helicopter, drawing on his experience as a former Platoon Commander in The Blues and Royals and his training as an RAF Search and Rescue pilot.
The announcement of the handover ceremony came just two hours after Harry's spokesman said the King was too busy to see his youngest son during his recent trip to the UK to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games. Despite the King's full schedule, he has been given permission by his doctors to return to public duties last month and has been present at various events in recent weeks.
