Queen Camilla meets troops ahead of charity launch

Queen Camilla met with the 4th Battalion of The Ranger Regiment

The Queen has been presented with an Army brooch to mark her dedication to a battalion ahead of the launch of a charity supporting its soldiers.

Camilla received the Mappin and Webb jewellery at the new Normandy barracks in Aldershot, in recognition of her support for the 4th Battalion of The Ranger Regiment, which she represents as Royal Colonel.

When she was presented with the gift by the battalion's commander officer, Lt Col Charles Bairsto, she replied: "It's so lovely, I'll go and put it on."

For the rest of the visit to the regiment's she wore the present, a gift from the regiment and the Worshipful Company of Carpenters, a livery company affiliated with 4 Ranger.

The Queen was presented with a brooch for her visit to the barracks in Aldershot

She met some of the team behind the new Peregrine Fund, a welfare charity for The Ranger Regiment - which transitioned from The Rifles in 2021 - four battalions which are the core of the Army Special Operations Brigade.

After chatting to the Queen Capt Marrion Hooman, regimental administration officer for 4 Ranger, said: "This is a brand new charity within the military and we hope it goes on to support our rangers for many years to come."

He said the Queen was positive about the plans for the charity.

He added: "We need to look after our soldiers, we don't know what will come, we don't know what hardships they will face."

Camilla ended her visit by meeting the families of soldiers in the Rangers Tavern

The charity will be launched with a fundraising event later this month when supporters will be encouraged to join a 24-hour sporting challenge for as long as they want.

During her visit the Queen chatted to soldiers who have been deployed in Jordan and Lebanon, and told one serviceman: "You're so lucky, I've always wanted to go to Lebanon."

Camilla ended her visit by meeting the families of soldiers in the Rangers Tavern, a recreational area featuring a bar, where guests were treated to afternoon tea.