Prince William told one of the most badly injured servicemen to survive the Iraq war that he was ‘in awe’ of the heroism of our armed forces

He joined his father, King Charles, and step-mother, Queen Camilla, for a rare joint engagement at Windsor Castle, a reception for members of the Victoria Cross and George Cross Association.

The Victoria Cross is awarded ‘for most conspicuous bravery or some daring pre-eminent act of valour or self-sacrifice or extreme devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy, irrespective of rank.

The George Cross, instituted by King George VI in 1940, which may also be awarded posthumously, is granted in recognition of ‘acts of the greatest heroism or of the most conspicuous courage in circumstances of extreme danger’.

The King is patron of the association, following in the footsteps of his late mother and grandmother.

After posing for group photographs in St George’s Hall, the royal trio spent time with the VC & GC holders, and members of their families, as well as representatives of posthumously awarded recipients, in the Grand Reception Room.

Founded in 1956, the VC & GC Association provides support to the living holders and their families, restore – and in some cases, create – graves and memorials associated with VC & GC holders, and educate the public on the two awards.

The reception is held every four years.

King Charles appeared in good spirits as he spoke to guests at a Windsor Castle reception for members of the Victoria Cross and George Cross Association today

The King is patron of the association, following in the footsteps of his late mother and grandmother. He is seen here greeting attendees

Prince William (right) joined his father, King Charles, and step-mother, Queen Camilla, (both not pictured) for the reception that marked a rare joint engagement

The King and his son both spoke to Major Peter Norton GC, a triple amputee.

He lost both legs and an arm, with his remaining limb badly injured, after stepping on an IED in 2005 while serving as a commander of weapons intelligence unit in the Royal Logistics Corp.

He told William that had there been the same medical practices in 2005 that there were in 2010, he would ‘probably still be walking’.

‘But I am not bitter,’ he said. ‘What is normal? I’m spread across three continents (in reference to both his immediate injures and amputations that took place later as a result of them). ‘

‘There’s not a lot I can say to that. I am in awe. Of all of you,’ said the prince. ‘This is my first parade with the VC and GCs and I am just in awe of you. The stories. ‘

He also praised Major Norton’s wife, Kate, saying: ‘You have clearly found happiness. It takes two people to make that happen.

‘Do you remember it at all? Were you one of the most severely injured? They must have learnt a lot since then.’

The King also spoke at length to Major Norton, praising his bravery and dedication since the incident.

After posing for group photographs in St George’s Hall, the royal trio spent time with the VC & GC holders, and members of their families, as well as representatives of posthumously awarded recipients, in the Grand Reception Room

And he laughed as Kate Norton-Hewins, who is six foot tall, gestured to her husband’s wheelchair and said it was lucky she had met him before he was injured ‘as he would have been far too short for me’.

‘Wonderful, just wonderful,’ the king smiled.

Speaking afterwards Major Norton said he had been due to receive his GC from the late Queen Elizabeth in 2006 but it was one of those ‘rare occasions’ that she was ill after suffering a bad back.

He instead received his award from Princess Anne who told him: ‘I am so glad, I never get to give these out! She was my corp Colonel-in-Chief’.

He said, remarkably matter-of-fact, of his injuries: ‘It is what it is. We always thought we could go at any time. Most of us thought we would either survive of get killed. You could consider it an advantage. ‘

He currently lectures, among other things, in explosive ordinance engineering.

He said of the Royal Family: ‘They are so good at what they do. They are professionals. I worked as chairman of the association for eight years with the late Queen and she knew every one of us, everything about us. She was just amazing. They make it so easy. King Charles is exactly the same.’

Other guests included Jonhson Beharry, awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest military award for gallantry.

The King and his son both spoke to Major Peter Norton GC, a triple amputee. 

Major Peter Norton told William that had there been the same medical practices in 2005 that there were in 2010, he would ‘probably still be walking’. 

The oldest member of the association present was Keith Payne, 92, awarded the VC in Vietnam after saving 40 men under heavy mortar fire, who had flown over especially from Australia for the occasion.

Payne received his VC from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II aboard the Royal Yacht, Britannia in Brisbane in April 1970.

It was one of 27 medals he received during a distinguished military career.

He said: ‘It’s a wonderful occasion. I have met all the Royal Family over the years, so many times in fact that when someone tried to introduce me to Queen Elizabeth she said: ‘Oh you don’t need to do that, Mr Payne and I know each other very well!’

Earlier in the day, the King and Queen hosted Sweden’s King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia for a special tree planting at Windsor tonight. 

The Swedish Oak is a gift from the Scandinavian sovereign to celebrate the British royals’ coronation in May 2023 – two years on Tuesday.  

Meanwhile, Prince William yesterday returned to the UK following a very special two-day trip to the Isle of Mull and Iona, accompanied by the Princess of Wales. The first day of their visit to the Scottish island coincided with the royal couple’s 14th wedding anniversary. 

Today’s reception for the Victoria and George Cross Association comes one day after the King issued a moving message about his ‘frightening’ cancer diagnosis on Wednesday. 

Prince William yesterday returned to the UK following a very special two-day trip to the Isle of Mull and Iona, accompanied by the Princess of Wales. The future King is seen here talking to members of the Victoria and George Cross Association; he has served as its President since 2024

Queen Camilla in conversation with Keith Payne, 92, the oldest member of the association. He was awarded the VC in Vietnam after saving 40 men under heavy mortar fire, who had flown over especially from Australia for the occasion

In what has been described as Charles’ most ‘personal’ statement about being diagnosed with the illness, the monarch revealed he had taken inspiration from the late Dame Deborah James.

She urged sufferers, he said, with moving magnificence to ‘find a life worth enjoying; take risks; love deeply; have no regrets; and always, always have rebellious hope.’ 

His Majesty’s ‘poignant’ words were addressed to fellow sufferers, as they attended a reception at Buckingham Palace hosted by Charles to recognise the incredible work of community-based cancer organisations last evening. 

The King is himself still undergoing regular treatments as someone ‘living with cancer’, although aides say his recovery continues in a ‘very positive direction, as reflected with the very full national and international diary programme’ he is undertaking.

The personally-penned message from Charles’ desk has added significance given that his daughter-in-law, the Princess of Wales, was also diagnosed with cancer within weeks of his own diagnosis last year and underwent preventative chemotherapy.

In his message, Charles thanked those who so ‘selflessly’ work to provide care, comfort and reassurance to the 390,000 people who receive a new cancer diagnosis across the UK each year – as well as those working to treat the diseases and raise funds for research. 

‘Each diagnosis, each new case, will be a daunting and at times frightening experience for those individuals and their loved ones,’ he wrote. 

‘As one among those statistics myself, I can vouch for the fact that it can also be an experience that brings into sharp focus the very best of humanity,’ Charles continued. 

‘It has certainly given me an even deeper appreciation of the extraordinary work undertaken by the remarkable organisations and individuals gathered here this evening, many of whom I have known, visited and supported over the years.

Today’s reception for the Victoria and George Cross Association comes one day after the King (centre)  issued a moving message about his ‘frightening’ cancer diagnosis on Wednesday

 ‘And it has reinforced what I have long observed during these visits – that the darkest moments of illness can be illuminated by the greatest compassion.’ 

He added with added poignancy: ‘You have my whole family’s deepest admiration and gratitude.’

The King was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer in January last year following routine surgery for an enlarged prostate.

Buckingham Palace have not confirmed what form he has, but have ruled out it being connected with his prostate issue.

They have also not disclosed what treatment he is still undertaking.