Prince Charles visits Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth

The Queen has cancelled her annual pre-Christmas lunch for the second year in a row due to the coronavirus pandemic, but Prince Charles was still in good spirits today despite the ongoing uncertainty over royal festive plans. 

The Prince of Wales put on an animated display as he met with officers of the Britannia Royal Naval College, even gamely stopping to take a selfie with one of them.

The heir to the throne, 73 who is Admiral of the Fleet, presided over the Lord High Admiral’s Divisions at the College in Dartmouth today, and attended the passing out parade. 

He wore naval uniform for the occasion and delivered a speech to the attending officers.

The Prince of Wales also presented deserving officers who stood out with special merit this year with the Queen’s Sword. 

Charles was welcomed at the event by Captain Roger Readwin, Commander of the BRNC, and the Parade Commander, Commander Will Peters.

After his arrival, he was led to the Parade ground, before reviewing the officers and delivering his address.

He specially honoured the students who were top of their class this year. 

As part of the ceremony, he presented the Queen’s sword to Sub Lieutenant Thomas Handley, who won the Officers Association Prize.

The heir to the throne saluted the officers as he arrived today ahead of the parade at the College, pictured

The Prince of Wales saluted the officers. He looked poised and solemn during the official event, but later let his hair down while chatting with the officers 

The Prince of Wales, who is Admiral of the Fleet, reviewed the officers in attendance with an affable smile 

Charles, who actively served in the Navy and the Royal Air Force from 1971 to 1977, could not resist laughing with the officers

He also presented the sword to Sub Lieutenant Jamie Molyneux.

After the official event, the heir to the throne, who actively served in the Navy and Royal Air Force from 1971 to 1977,  relaxed and exchanged a few jovial words with the officers in attendance, 

One member of the Saudi Arabia Royal Navy even chanced a selfie with the Prince of Wales, who politely obliged. 

Charles visit comes as the Queen has had to cancel her annual pre-Christmas lunch for the second year in a row due to the Coronavirus pandemic. 

The 95-year-old monarch was planning to welcome 50 or so relatives, including Prince Charles and Camilla, to an event at Windsor Castle next week.

One day after the festive party, the Queen was due to travel by helicopter to Sandringham in Norfolk, where she is set to spend Christmas itself. 

However it has now emerged the Queen ‘with regret’ has cancelled her family lunch as a ‘precautionary’ measure, feeling that too many people’s Christmas arrangements were at risk if it went ahead. 

The officers took their positions for the parade at the College today, before they were reviewed by Prince Charles 

The College’s officers walked as one, making their way to the parade this afternoon in Dartmouth, pictured 

Prince Charles, centre, accompanied by Captain Roger Readwin, right, Commander of the BRNC, and the Parade Commander, Commander Will Peters, left 

The Prince of Wales addressed the officers before congratulating Sub Lieutenant Thomas Handley, right, who won the Officers Association Prize Winner

Charles attended the Parade Ground with Captain Roger Readwin, Commander of the BRNC, and the Parade Commander, Commander Will Peters, for the Lord High Admiral’s passing out Parade

Royal sources said ‘there is a belief that it is the right thing to do for all concerned.’ 

It marks the second year the Queen has cancelled the event, usually held at Buckingham Palace.

Last year she called off the lunch when tougher restrictions were brought in amid the surge of the Delta Covid strain. 

It comes as millions of Britons axed their festive plans so they can see family on Christmas Day after Boris Johnson and Chris Whitty triggered a ‘tsunamis of cancellations’ for pubs and restaurants by urging the country only to socialise if necessary – and not in large groups or with strangers. 

The Prince of Wales seemed in good spirits, in spite of the news his mother had to cancel her pre-Christmas lunch for the second time in a row this year

The future King looked relaxed and in good spirits as he met with members of the Saudi Arabia Navy today

Ahead of the announcement, royal expert Camilla Tominey appeared on This Morning today, and told viewers the monarch was considering leaving it ‘up to guests’ over whether they attend. 

She said: ‘We thought the Queen was going to have a Christmas party for the extended family in Windsor on Tuesday, we think that’s still going ahead. 

‘Then she’s going to go to Sandringham for the traditional celebrations in Norfolk.’

‘But apparently now they’re wavering, like we all are. Maybe it’s going to be about the guests and if people don’t feel comfortable coming,  that makes the decision for you.’ 

This year’s event would have seen the family brought together in the largest reunion since the Duke of Edinburgh’s death in April. 

While three of her four new grandchildren – August, Lucas and Siena – had been expected to attend the lunch, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, and their son Archie and newborn Lilibet, also born this year, will remain in the US.  

Meanwhile the Royal Family had been planning to join the Queen at Sandringham on Christmas Eve and gather on December 25, as is tradition, before visiting St Mary Magdalene Church. 

It is currently unknown if this will go ahead.  

The Queen is currently residing in Windsor Castle, where she remains on ‘light duties’ following multiple health scares in recent weeks.