Sovereign's Parade, Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, 12 April 2006

Published

This day marks the beginning of what I hope will be highly successful careers as officers in the British Army or the armies of our friends and allies.

This is a very special occasion for me, as it is for all of you who are gaining your commissions today.

It is also a great occasion for your families and friends. This day marks the beginning of what I hope will be highly successful careers as officers in the British Army or the armies of our friends and allies, and I am pleased to see so many cadets from the Commonwealth and other countries on parade.

Many people seem to believe that the preparation to become an officer is merely a matter of acquiring some basic understanding of military procedures and of achieving high standards in physical fitness.

I believe that there is rather more to it than that. It is also the first step in learning how to become leaders.

Many talented young people can learn the principles of management; but effective leadership is far more demanding. It will be your success as leaders that will decide the progress of your careers in the Army.

It will depend on how you exercise your responsibilities to other people and how you exercise your responsibilities for other people.

If you look at the careers of successful officers, you will find that, no matter how clever they may have been, what really matters is how they related to people under their command.

It is an art not a science, and it needs constant attention and refinement to achieve the highest standards. It was not by chance that the motto chosen for the Royal Military Academy is "Serve to Lead".

I know that everyone here today has been deeply impressed by your smartness and bearing on this parade. This is just the end of the beginning, and many of you will deploy on operations within months or even weeks. I wish you all every success in your chosen career. My congratulations, my prayers and my trust go with you all.

Related content

A message from Her Majesty The Queen on the 75th anniversary of VJ day

May the memory of their sacrifice and bravery remain with us always.

15 August 2020
Feature

Remembrance 2019

Members of the Royal Family remember the war dead.
Feature

The 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings

Members of the Royal Family remember the sacrifices made during the Allied landings

The Queen's speech at the commissioning ceremony of HMS Queen Elizabeth

HMS Queen Elizabeth embodies the best of British technology and innovation – a true flagship for the 21st century

11 December 2017

Prince Harry delivers a message from The Queen at RAF Honnington

The presentation of Colours is an opportunity to recognise historic achievements and to look forward to the future with confidence; a confidence built upon the dedication of...

19 July 2017

The Queen addresses The Royal Lancers at Windsor Castle

You have established yourselves as a unified Regiment and a force without match

05 April 2017
Press release 20 December 2016

The Queen's Patronages

Read more
Feature

Remembrance 2016

The Queen and the Royal Family attend engagements to mark Remembrance 2016

The Queen's Response to the Chief Engineer, on the Corps of Royal Engineers 300th anniversary

I would wish all Sappers, wherever they may be, every success and good fortune in the future

13 October 2016

A speech by The Queen at the Royal Artillery Tercentenary Parade on 26th May, 2016

The Royal Regiment of Artillery has since 1716 proudly served the Nation all over the World and I wish all Gunners every success and good fortune in the future

26 May 2016
Press release 18 July 2015

Events to mark the anniversary of VJ Day

Read more
Press release 06 March 2015

Gallipoli Centenary Commemorations

Read more
Press release 01 February 2015

Royal family attendance at Afghanistan service

Read more

A speech by The Queen to the Welsh Guards

No hundredth birthday greeting will give greater pleasure to deliver than the one I give to you, along with these New Colours today.

13 January 2015

A speech by The Queen at Rosyth Dockyard

I name this ship QUEEN ELIZABETH. May God bless her and all who sail in her.

04 July 2014
Press release 01 April 2014

WW1 Centenary Commemorations

Read more

A speech by The Queen at the Grenadier Guards Garden Party

The Regimental Association is the very embodiment of the Regimental Family and I trust that it will thrive equally well over the next century too!

26 June 2013

A speech by The Queen at the Armed Forces Muster, 2012

We are very proud of the selfless service, and sacrifices made by servicemen and women and their families in recent years.

19 May 2012

A speech by The Queen to the Coldstream Guards, 2012

You are worthy successors to those soldiers of General Monck’s Regiment of Foot, who, in 1660, marched from Coldstream to restore law and order in the Capital.

03 March 2012

A speech by The Queen at the Presentation of Colours, Royal Military College of Australia

The presentation of Colours is a special opportunity to recognise the past achievements, to give thanks for commitment and loyalty today, and to express confidence in the...

22 October 2011

A speech by The Queen to the Royal Regiment of Scotland, 2011

A fresh chapter has now opened with this presentation of new Colours to six of the seven battalions of The Royal Regiment of Scotland.

02 July 2011
Press release 10 February 2011

Prince William appointed as Colonel of the Irish Guards

Read more
Press release 26 June 2010

The Queen's Armed Forces Day message

Read more

A speech by The Queen to 1st Battalion, Grenadier Guards, 2010

The Colours, that I am presenting to you this morning, represent the spirit of the Regiment, past and present.

11 May 2010

The Queen's broadcast to the Armed Forces, 1 July 2009

I greatly hope that the Elizabeth Cross will give further meaning to the nation’s debt of gratitude to the families and loved ones of those who have died in the service of our...

01 July 2009

A speech by The Queen on the 500th anniversary of Gentlemen at Arms

Your service to the Crown continues in a distinctive way and reinforces the very best values of those who came before you.

01 July 2009
Press release 27 June 2009

Armed Forces Day message

Read more

A speech by The Queen at RAF Cranwell, 2009

You can be justly proud of your achievements, as – I am sure – are your families and friends.

28 May 2009

A speech by The Queen to the 1st Battalion Irish Guards, 2009

You have the greatest cause to be proud of your achievements.

06 May 2009