King Charles has visited the first dedicated Gurkha Artillery unit, hailing the 'deeply valued relationship' between Britain and Nepal. During the trip to Larkhill Barracks, near Salisbury, on Wednesday, the monarch praised the 'determination and commitment' of the newly formed King's Gurkha Artillery unit as he watched a formation parade at their base in Wiltshire.
The King hailed the regiment as a 'powerful reaffirmation of the enduring and deeply valued relationship between the United Kingdom and Nepal'. It was the first ceremonial opportunity to celebrate the creation of the Army's first dedicated Gurkha Artillery unit, which was formally established in April 2025.
The monarch was greeted with a 21-gun salute and presented with a large traditional mala flower garland, which was placed around his neck. In a speech during the visit, His Majesty said: 'Your regiment now enables Gurkhas to serve across the full spectrum of capability within the British Army - a most fitting development, and one which I find deeply reassuring.'
He added: 'The swift establishment of this new regiment reflects not only the strength of the Brigade of Gurkhas, but also the adaptability and dynamism of the Royal Regiment of Artillery.' The King continued: 'The capabilities of this new artillery unit will be shaped not only by tradition but by the hard-learned lessons of modern conflict.'
Referring to the war in Ukraine, Charles noted: 'In Ukraine, we have seen how agility, precision and integration with advanced technologies have redefined the battlefield. We must continue to learn from those who have fought and adapted under the most demanding conditions, including from our Ukrainian partners with whom we can share knowledge, innovate and improve together.'
The King told the troops: 'I can only offer you all my sincere thanks for your determination and commitment in stepping forward at the beginning of this important new chapter. I am immensely proud to see you on parade today.' Charles also added in Nepali: 'Malai tapai haru prati pura bjarosa cha,' which translates as 'I have full faith in you'.
He met military staff and their families before posing for an official portrait, after which the soldiers lifted their hats for a 'Hip Hip Hooray' in honour of the monarch. Over the next three years, 400 Gurkha personnel will join the unit, offering fresh opportunities to the soldiers of the Brigade of Gurkhas, part of the Royal Artillery.
Gurkhas served in the Bombay Artillery before the First World War, and about 85 were gunners during the Second World War. The new unit was formally announced on January 20 last year, and the King approved the new Gurkha cap badge in April.
The badge, the first created for a Gurkha regiment in 14 years, pairs a crossed khukuri knife and a field gun of the Royal Artillery. It bears the words Ubique, meaning Everywhere, and Quo Fas et Gloria Ducunt, which translates as Whither Right and Glory Lead.
Gurkha gunners will serve across a number of Royal Artillery regiments in support of 1st Division, 3rd Division and 16 Air Assault Brigade Combat Team. They will be trained on advanced equipment, including the Archer and Light Gun artillery systems as well as the remote-controlled Howitzer 155 artillery system.
