A speech by His Majesty The King at the 200th Sovereign's Parade, Royal Military Academy Sandhurst

Published

It is the lifelong friendships which are forged through shared hardship, and the humour that you find in the darkest hours of the coldest, wettest nights, which remain with you.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I am so very pleased to be with you today for the 200th Sovereign’s Parade and to share in this most special of days for those of you commissioning as the future leaders of the British Army, and the Armies of our close allies.  I am under no illusions as to how hard you have all worked over the past forty-four weeks and I hope you feel justifiably proud of your achievements.  Of course, I know you would not be here without the tremendous support of your family and friends who, I am delighted to see, can join us in such numbers today.  And, speaking as a father of two alumni of this Academy who remembers their passing out parades, I know they will be full of immense pride in witnessing you on parade.

Having attended – and survived! – two of the other Military Academies fifty years ago, I think I have some idea of the challenges which are inherent in military training.  I have experienced the nerves, the exhaustion – even the self-doubt – but, despite such recollections, it is the lifelong friendships which are forged through shared hardship, and the humour that you find in the darkest hours of the coldest, wettest nights, which remain with you.

You are joining the Armed Forces at a particularly demanding time - full of opportunity and challenges.  Our adversaries and our competitors are challenging the rules that govern global security and prosperity.  In response, Defence is undergoing a significant modernization programme, which will ensure the Army remains credible and agile to match current and future threats.  The demands on the organization are ever increasing and widespread and, as a result, much will be asked of you and your leadership over the course of your career, starting from now. 

War has returned to Europe on a scale not seen since 1945.  As we have now passed the first anniversary of the conflict in Ukraine, it is worth saying that I have been particularly impressed and proud of the role the British Army, alongside wider Defence, has played in supporting Ukraine.  The U.K. has been a leading nation in delivering training expertise, equipment and advice alongside our allies and partners.  Following a recent visit to Salisbury Plain and through the discussions I had with President Zelensky a few weeks ago, I have learnt at first-hand about this support and the positive impact it is having on the ground.  For as long as the conflict endures, you will all no doubt have some part to play in our unrelenting support, alongside allies, as the courageously indomitable Ukrainian people endeavour to protect their sovereign rights. 

The conflict in Ukraine has reminded us of the importance of partnerships, not only across N.A.T.O., but globally, including with non-traditional allies.  Such partnerships have been strengthened over the course of the past year, perhaps most evident through Finland’s accession to the Alliance which reinforces the enduring strength of our collective resolve to stand up to illegal and unprovoked aggression.  As history has demonstrated, such alliances are vital in securing our peace and freedom.  In this regard, it is most heartening to see fifteen other nations represented here on parade – a tangible demonstration of these partnerships which you all will experience, and assist in developing, throughout the course of your careers. 

Just as pressure in the East remains, so the peaceful world order which we so took for granted, particularly here in the West, is by no means a guarantee.  We face challenges at home and abroad, all of which, I know, draw on our Army to assist in keeping the country safe and functioning. 

These challenges will be varied and persistent.  Some who stood here only two years ago have evacuated the most vulnerable at no-notice from Kabul; supported our Border Force and ambulance crews; assisted the Government response to a global pandemic and trained in ever more far-flung places in Africa, the Middle East and the Indo-Asia Pacific.   Never before has there been such a test on our junior leadership in confronting such a diversity of tasks, whilst keeping pace with the integration of new technologies.  You will need to balance mastering your core skills whilst determining how your people best work alongside - and not in competition with - these new enhancements.  However, whilst training and technology will provide us with the tools to remain a credible modern army, you must not lose sight of the fact that it is our people who lie at the centre of your core business, as our most valuable and adaptable asset.  People remain at the heart of all we do; they are our competitive advantage, and we must continue to transform our culture and training to retain this, at the same time as continuing to deliver capable Officers for the future.  I believe it is the confidence in your own skills taught here, in those of each other and those of the soldiers you will command that, combined with your values and standards, will see you make the right decisions in often unfamiliar, sometimes lonely and, occasionally, frightening circumstances. 

I am sure that the training you have received will stand you all in good stead to face such challenges for the future.  As symbolised by the new Academy Colour, you represent a living institution, proud of its heritage but confident to embrace the change necessary to respond to new challenges as leaders of the future.

I can only wish each of you every possible success and good fortune as you embark on your future service to this nation, and a most fulfilling career. We are fortunate to have you – as well as those here today who so loyally support you.

Related content

News

Royal Maundy 2025

17 April 2025
The King and Queen at the Maundy Service in Durham

A message from The King to mark Easter

There are three virtues that the world still needs — faith, hope and love. “And the greatest of these is love”.

17 April 2025

The King’s speech at the State Banquet at the Quirinale Palace, Italy

It is also moving to think that my great, great grandfather, King Edward VII, and my great-grandfather, King George V, both spoke at State Banquets in this very Palace over a...

09 April 2025

The King delivers an address to the Italian Parliament

It has been one of the pleasures of my life to come to know this irresistible country, and from Turin to Palermo, Verona to Naples, Florence to Trieste, I have learned a...

09 April 2025

The King's message to the regional media industry in the UK

Your reporting, and the work of all those who support you, helps amplify and reaffirm the rights and responsibilities we all share.

27 March 2025
News

Commonwealth Day 2025

10 March 2025
Commonwealth flags

A speech delivered by The King during a visit to HMS Prince of Wales whilst at sea

I can only say that I take immense pride in you - the men and women who bring this vessel to life with such indomitable spirit - for your vital service on behalf of us all.

04 March 2025

The King's Commonwealth Day Message 2025

The Commonwealth’s ability to bring together people from all over the world has stood the test of time and remains as ever-important today.

09 March 2025
News

The King visits Staffordshire

24 February 2025
The King visits Tower Brewery
Press release 07 February 2025

The King and Queen will visit the Holy See and Italy

Read more

A speech by His Majesty The King to mark Holocaust Memorial Day and the 80th Anniversary of the Liberation of Auschwitz

As the number of Holocaust Survivors regrettably diminishes with the passage of time, the responsibility of remembrance rests far heavier on our shoulders, and on those of...

27 January 2025
News

Holocaust Memorial Day 2025

27 January 2025
The King with Jewish leaders

A message from The King to the people of Glasgow celebrating the city’s 850th anniversary.

It goes without saying that people really do make Glasgow. As one of the most diverse cities in Scotland and beyond, it is entirely fitting that the celebrations to mark this...

13 January 2025

A message of condolence from The King following the South Korean plane crash

My wife and I were profoundly saddened to learn of the horrific air accident at Muan, which resulted in such grievous loss of life. As the people of the Republic of Korea...

29 December 2024

A message of condolence from The King to the people of Vanuatu, following the recent earthquake.

I am aware, from my visit to Vanuatu and Port Vila in 2018, of the extraordinary spirit of ni-Vanuatu, which has been called upon too often in recent years with repeated...

21 December 2024
Press release 16 December 2024

The King's Gold Medal for Poetry 2024

Read more

A message read by The Duchess of Edinburgh, on behalf of The King, marking the 50th anniversary of the Birmingham Bombings

Today we remember the twenty-one people who lost their lives so cruelly and all who were injured, many of them grievously. We also pay heartfelt tribute to those who rushed to...

21 November 2024

A speech by The King at the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines in Lympstone, Devon

It is this operational excellence, underpinned by your unique skillset and training, which will ensure that all of you, as Royal Marines, will help to perpetuate our peace and...

15 November 2024
Press release 13 November 2024

Bishop of Norwich appointed Lord High Almoner

Read more

A message from The King to King Felipe VI of Spain regarding the ongoing floods in Valencia.

Our special thoughts, prayers and deepest possible sympathy are with all those who have lost loved ones and livelihoods this terrible week.

02 November 2024