King takes role as RCMP head
Charles accepts commissioner-in-chief title at Windsor Castle ceremony
King Charles has officially been appointed the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) commissioner-in-chief, the RCMP said in a press release on Friday. “Today marked a proud moment in the historical relationship between the RCMP and the Royal Family,” the release said.
The Mounties added that Charles “will play a titular role in recognizing the importance of the RCMP at home and abroad.”
Charles formally accepted the title at a ceremony at Windsor Castle in England. In attendance was RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme and Canada’s High Commissioner in the United Kingdom Ralph Goodale who presented the RCMP’s ninth musical ride horse to the King, named Noble.
“His Majesty The King is continuing the proud, decades-long tradition of accepting RCMP horses as gifts, which began with his late mother,” Duheme said.
“The RCMP and the Royal Family have enjoyed a long-standing, personal relationship for many decades, and I look forward to it continuing for many more.”
The Star previously reported that the RCMP is sending a delegation of five Musical Ride members to attend the coronation of King Charles, cementing the organization’s century-long relationship with the Royal Family.
Today, the musical ride troop contains up to 32 riders, all mounted police officers, who perform intricate drills, exercises and formations to music. The performances last about 30 minutes and “demand the utmost control, timing, and co-ordination,” according to the troop’s website.
During Queen Elizabeth II’s reign, the RCMP gave the royal family eight horses, three of which are currently in use as charger horses for the royal family: George, Sir John and Darby.
Also in attendance at Friday’s ceremony were musical ride members that are in the U.K. for King Charles’s coronation procession.
Three of these members and the three previously-gifted charger horses, as well as Noble, will participate in the coronation ceremony on May 6.
A café displays a poster to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III in London. The ceremony will take place at Westminster Abbey on May 6.