His Majesty The King has hailed the enduring friendship between Britain and Nepal as he attended a landmark military ceremony marking the formation of the British Army’s first dedicated Gurkha artillery regiment.
King Charles III, who serves as Captain General of the Royal Regiment of Artillery, visited Larkhill in Wiltshire, home of the Royal Artillery, to review the Formation Parade of the newly established King’s Gurkha Artillery (KGA).
The occasion marked a significant moment in British military history, with the creation of the seventh cap badge within the Brigade of Gurkhas and the first ever Gurkha unit to bear the name of King Charles III.
Corporal Christian P Delice UK MOD © Crown copyright 2026
Arriving in the ceremonial uniform of a Field Marshal, His Majesty received a traditional 21-gun salute before being welcomed by Brigadier Charlie Harmer, Colonel of the King’s Gurkha Artillery. In a display of Nepalese tradition, the King was presented with a ceremonial mala, a garland in the regiment’s colours, while daughters of serving soldiers dressed in traditional Nepalese attire presented him with flowers.
The King’s Gurkha Artillery was formally established in April 2025 and represents the latest chapter in the remarkable story of Gurkha service to the Crown. For more than two centuries, Gurkha soldiers have earned a reputation for exceptional courage, loyalty and professionalism in conflicts across the world.
The parade was attended by British and Nepalese dignitaries, senior military officers, serving personnel and their families. Speaking partly in Nepali, the King opened his address by telling those gathered: “Ajur din ramro cha”, meaning “Today is a good day.”
Corporal Christian P Delice UK MOD © Crown copyright 2026
His Majesty described the formation of the regiment as a powerful symbol of the special relationship between Britain and Nepal.
He said the occasion represented “not simply the union of two distinguished institutions, but a powerful reaffirmation of the enduring and deeply valued relationship between the United Kingdom and Nepal.”
The King paid tribute to generations of Gurkha service, noting that Gurkhas have served with distinction in infantry, engineering, communications, logistics and support roles, but had never before had their own artillery regiment.
“I am delighted to see that now put right,” he told the parade.
Reflecting on the realities of modern warfare, the King stressed that the new regiment would combine proud traditions with the lessons learned from contemporary conflicts. He reminded the founding members of the King’s Gurkha Artillery that they carry the responsibility of establishing the standards and character of the regiment for future generations.
Closing his speech in Nepali, he declared: “Malai tapai haru prati pura bjarosa cha”, meaning “I have full faith in you.”
The ceremony also featured the world premiere of a new military march composed especially for the regiment. Captain David Hatton, Director of Music for the Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas, wrote the piece, entitled The Gurkha Gunners, for the historic occasion.
Speaking about the composition, Captain Hatton said it was a rare privilege to create music for an entirely new military unit and to have its first public performance witnessed by the King.
The King’s Gurkha Artillery will initially be based at Larkhill and is expected to grow to around 500 personnel. The regiment will support formations including 1st Division, 3rd Division and 16 Air Assault Brigade Combat Team, operating advanced artillery systems such as the Archer self-propelled gun and the Light Gun.
While the regiment is new, Gurkha links to artillery service stretch back many decades. Gurkhas served with artillery units before the First World War and also operated as gunners during the Second World War. The establishment of the King’s Gurkha Artillery formally restores that proud tradition within today’s British Army.
As His Majesty departed, three cheers rang out from the parade ground, bringing an end to a ceremony that celebrated not only military excellence, but also one of Britain’s most enduring international friendships.
For generations, Gurkhas have stood shoulder to shoulder with British forces in defence of freedom and democracy. The creation of the King’s Gurkha Artillery ensures that proud legacy will continue long into the future.
Images: MOD Crown Copyright News / Editorial Licence.
