The Prince of Wales made it a special day for the young daughter of a recovering former Royal Marine when he visited the Royal Navy in Plymouth.
Kezia, 11, with her father Mark Ormrod, an injured veteran, presented His Royal Highness with a posie of flowers and a basket of produce from a garden for rehabilitating troops at HM Navy Base Devonport today (Wednesday).
Mark and Kezia were among 350 military and civilian guests introduced to HRH during a stop on his summer tour of the South West. He is Commodore-in-Chief of the Royal Navy Command in Devonport.
Mark, who lost two legs and an arm during a mine explosion in Afghanistan in 2010, represented charities such as Help for Heroes and the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity which help people like him at the Naval Base.
He said: “The first thing Prince Charles said to me was that we’d met before. But even so, it was an absolute honour, it always will be. He asked me about my recovery and I said I was doing very well. He asked me when I was taking part in the Invictus Games and I said hopefully, next year and that I’d be possibly be swimming, running and cycling.’’
Kezia curtsied and answered questions about where the produce came from and if she was looking after her father. She said: “It was fun meeting him, but I was a bit nervous. I practised my curtsying and it went well. He asked me where the vegetables and flowers came from and I said it was from the Heroes Garden where the veterans go when they are getting better. I helped present the flowers and I said I was looking after my dad.’’
Sea Cadet, Harvey Henshaw, 10, of Plymouth, is a member of Plymouth Drake, Sea Cadets. He spoke to the royal guest and said: “It was scary meeting Prince Charles, but exciting as well and a fun experience. He asked me about why I joined and I said it was because I want to learn lots before I join the Navy in the future.’’
Colonel Graeme Armour, commanding officer of 1 Assault Group Royal Marines, in the Navy Base, said: “When I explained to Prince Charles we operated landing craft for the Royal Navy he mentioned he’d seen them at the 100th year of the commemoration of the Battle of Gallipoli. It was a pleasure to talk to him.’’
