Clarence House Just Posted a Pic of Prince Charles Parachuting Out of a Plane

Published Jul 13, 2021

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2:22pm

Clarence House is taking us on a little trip down memory lane. Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles just shared a handful of throwback photos featuring the Prince of Wales parachuting out of a plane. Yes, you read that correctly.

On Tuesday, the 72-year-old royal presented the Parachute Regiment with new Colours (for the first time in 50 years) in a ceremony at Merville Barracks in Colchester. During the event, the prince, who is Colonel in Chief of the Parachute Regiment, also inspected the front rank of the accompanying parade representing the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Battalions.

To mark the special occasion, the official IG of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall posted a slideshow of Charles making his first parachute drop at the age of 23. The first two pics showcased the young royal being strapped into a seat of the plane, while the second snap featured Charles in the middle of the sky with his open parachute and a plane directly above him. How impressive.

“Whilst training as a jet pilot during a four-month attachment with the @RoyalAirForceUK in 1971, His Royal Highness made his first parachute drop from an Andover into Studland Bay, Dorset,” the post’s caption read.

Per the post, Charles was named Colonel in Chief of The Parachute Regiment in 1977. Just one year later, Queen Elizabeth’s son requested to join a Parachute Training Course at RAF Brize Norton. Since being appointed to the role, His Royal Highness regularly visits the Regiment and takes a personal interest in supporting bereaved families and the wounded.

We knew Charles had a handful of talents, but we had no idea that list included jumping out of planes.

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Alexandra Hough

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