King reflects on ‘difficult time’ in Middle East as ex-forces chief is honoured

The King reflected on the UK’s relationship with its allies at a “difficult time” amid war in the Middle East, the former head of the armed forces said as he attended Windsor Castle for his investiture.

Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, who served as Chief of the Defence Staff from December 2021 to September last year, was made a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire in a ceremony on Tuesday.

His meeting with the King came shortly before Buckingham Palace announced Charles’s visit to the US will go ahead in April as planned, just as US President Donald Trump again publicly criticised the UK for not supporting his war with Iran.

Speaking to the Press Association after the ceremony, Sir Tony said: “He reflected on my service and I reflected on his support to the armed forces, and how grateful I am for all that he and the royal family do for us.

“And unsurprisingly, we also talked about some of the world events of today and what’s going on.

“We reflected on what is going on in the Middle East and the relationship that we have with our Gulf allies, and obviously the relationship that we have with our other allies, and that this is clearly a difficult time.”

Sir Tony described the relationship between the royal family and the armed forces as “extraordinary” and said their visits boost morale.

He said: “I think it’s an extraordinary relationship that we enjoy, I’d like to say, that we both enjoy.

“I think the armed forces really covet their relationship with the royal family and with His Majesty the King.

“It acts as a spur when they visit, it improves morale.

“We recognise the interest that the royal family takes in us, and that is reflective of the armed forces’ relationship with the nation.

“That’s what it symbolises, that’s what it signifies, and that’s why it’s so important.”

Sir Tony was among a host of people attending investitures at Windsor on Tuesday, including actress Carey Mulligan, 40, who was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the New Year Honours list for her services to drama.

Others being honoured include Hilary McGrady, director-general of the National Trust, and Valerie Lolomari, a female genital mutilation (FGM) survivor and campaigner.