THE King has handed over the title of colonel-in-chief of the Army Air Corps to the Prince of Wales.

Charles III and the Prince William were at the Army Aviation Centre, in Middle Wallop, on Monday, May 13 for the ceremonial handover of the role.

The King became colonel-in-chief 32 years ago and said it was fitting to hand over the role to his eldest son, as “he’s a very good pilot indeed”.

Prince William was an RAF search and rescue pilot, spending three years based at RAF Valley, in Anglesey.

During a speech to mark the Hampshire handover, the King said it was an occasion “tinged with great sadness after 32 years of knowing you all”.

King Charles and Prince William during the handover of the colonel-in-chief role at Middle Wallop. Picture: Royal Family

“I do hope you’ll go from strength to strength in the future with the Prince of Wales as your new colonel-in-chief,” he added.

“The great thing is he’s a very good pilot indeed. So that’s encouraging.”

The pair appeared alongside an Apache helicopter – the type piloted by the King’s youngest son, Harry, in Afghanistan – on display at the Army Flying Museum.

The King later left the site, leaving Prince William to observe training and getting a briefing on the current work of the Army Air Corps in his new role.