Hey there, friends! Let’s talk about a truly remarkable man who wears many hats—Prince Charles. He’s not just the Prince of Wales but also a distinguished military figure. Recently, on his 58th birthday, he was honored with a promotion to a four-star rank across all three branches of the British armed services. Now, even though he hasn’t been actively serving for about 30 years, he still holds prestigious titles such as General in the Army, Admiral in the Navy, and Air Chief Marshal in the Royal Air Force. This new rank-up has added quite a few shiny medals to his already impressive uniform.
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Now, let’s break it down. Unlike his brother Prince Andrew, who served actively, Prince Charles earned his accolades through ceremonial positions. Back in the early 1970s, he underwent military training and served in both the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy. However, his decorations don’t come from active combat but rather from ceremonial roles and specific time periods of service. He’s also been bestowed with honors from other nations, making his collection even more diverse and impressive.
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Prince Charles’ Medals: A Closer Look
(Photo Credit: Getty Images)
So, what are these medals exactly? Prince Charles has a total of nine medals, each with its own story. There’s the Order of Merit (civil version), GCB, Queen’s Service Order (New Zealand), Queen’s Coronation medal, Queen’s Silver Jubilee medal, Queen’s Golden Jubilee medal, Canadian forces decoration, NZ commemorative medal, and Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter. Quite the collection, right?
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Why Each Medal Matters
Each medal Prince Charles has been awarded holds significant meaning. The coronation and jubilee medals commemorate his presence at those monumental events and ceremonies. The Queen’s Golden Jubilee medal was given to all serving personnel who had been in the forces for at least five years. Now, that large silver star with the cross of St. George in the center? That signifies he is a Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter. And the white enameled Maltese Cross at his neck? That’s the GCB, which he wears as Grand Master and Principal Knight Grand Cross of the Most Honorable Order of the Bath—a military version of a previous honor. So, what do you think? Which medal will he earn next?
