London — As the prince, who is also Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Gurkha Rifles, chatted with soldiers and their friends and family, trombones and pipes could be heard as the Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas played out.

Heir to the throne Charles visited the troops at Sir John Moore Barracks in Folkestone, Kent, to hand out operation medals following the regiment’s recent tour of Afghanistan, Press Association reported.

Today we are at Shorncliffe supporting the 25th Anniversary of the Royal Gurkha Rifles. In attendance will be HRH The Prince of Wales.#parade #Gurkhas #PrinceCharles pic.twitter.com/bZ3rWSIWOG

— Gurkha Brigade (@Gurkha_Brigade) July 9, 2019

Charles – who was presented with the large Mala in the regimental colours of black, red and rifle green – also met the soldiers’ families.

He used a large kuri – a traditional Nepalese knife and the symbol of the Gurkhas – to cut a birthday cake decorated in the same colours.

The prince received a royal salute as the Colonel-in-Chief of the regiment.

Ambassador of Nepal to the U.K. Dr. Durga Bahadur Subedi was also present on the ceremony.

Major General Gez Strickland, colonel of The Royal Gurkha Rifles, said: “The Prince of Wales has been an ardent supporter of the regiment for the last 25 years.

“It was fantastic to have him join the wider regimental family in celebration of our silver jubilee and continued success on operations.”

His Royal Highness presents operational medals to @Gurkha_Brigade soldiers after their deployment to Afghanistan which lasted from November 2018 through to May 2019. pic.twitter.com/PDE1wk6RY4

— Clarence House (@ClarenceHouse) July 9, 2019

Lieutenant colonel Chris Conroy, the commanding officer, said: “It is great to be home after six months’ hard deployment over an Afghan winter.”

He praised the prince, saying: “He is a great supporter of The Royal Gurkha Rifles and we are very much in his debt.”

Three cheers for His Royal Highness!

Thank you @Gurkha_Brigade and congratulations on your 25 years. pic.twitter.com/9v5yZY31L3

— Clarence House (@ClarenceHouse) July 9, 2019

In a foreword for a book commemorating 25 years of the regiment, Charles
praised the 1st Battalion for “maintaining the traditions and standards of its forebears” and for “building a reputation of its own”.  —PA