NewsRoyalsKing Charles IIIThe monarch has travelled to Dorset to help welcome back soldiers from the Royal Tank Regiment after their deployment from Greece, as they had emotional reunions with their families15:25, 06 Jul 2026The King took a ride in a battle tank today as he visited British soldiers celebrating returning home to their families while on a visit to Dorset.‌The monarch ditched his smart suit jacket and donned a helmet and goggles before being driven twice around a dirt track in a Challenger 2 in front of dozens of spectators at the Tank Museum in Bovington.‌The King was heard remarking on the “wonderful” demonstration by soldiers from the Royal Tank Regiment (RTR), recently back from deployment in Greece to be reunited with their loved ones at the annual Families’ Day event.‌Just hours after a war of words broke out between Buckingham Palace and the Duke of Sussex over denying him accommodation at a royal residence for his visit to the UK this week, the King arrived at the museum in Dorset on the back of a 1920 Pattern Rolls-Royce Armoured Car.Soldiers from the RTR worked with museum curators to ready the oldest vehicle in the museum’s working fleet, which carried Queen Elizabeth II during a visit to the regiment in 1997, to deliver the King in front of dozens of servicemen and women on display for the event.‌Inside the museum which houses nine exhibitions, including 300 armoured vehicles, personal objects, stories, and medals from war heroes, Charles, 77, four of the RTR’s former Colonels-Commandant, who served as the ceremonial head of the regiment.The King was asked how he found the 1920 Rolls Royce to which he replied “slow”, resulting in rounds of laughter from his hosts. Inside the museum’s Tank Story Hall, The King spoke to museum staff about their work curating and preserving the history and significance of tanks from the First World War until the modern day.‌Outside, Charles then presented medals to soldiers on parade before meeting their family and friends gathered. Stopping to speak to one family, the King said he hoped they “haven't been waiting in this heat too long” and remarked how “delighted” they must be to have their loved ones back from deployment.Article continues belowFollowing a short walk to the Vehicle Conservation Centre, the King viewed displays of drones being used on the front lines as well as standing beside the Regiment’s next generation Challenger 3 Main Battle Tank.Choose Daily Mirror as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.‌Buckingham PalaceThe QueenRoyal FamilySoldiersMuseumsKing Charles III