Prince William Honors Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip During Speech at Naval College That Holds a 'Special Place in His Heart'

Prince William stood in for King Charles III at the "passing out" ceremony of Britannia Royal Naval College (BRNC), where the future king honored the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip during a speech.

"Whilst my own Passing Out Parade was at Sandhurst, Britannia Royal Naval College still holds a very special place in my heart. It is well known that my grandmother and grandfather met here while my great-grandfather King George VI was conducting these very duties," His Royal Highness shared.

"It is a great honor for me, as Commodore-in-Chief Submarines, to be with you here in BRNC, representing His Majesty The King at Lord High Admiral’s Divisions. To put your minds at ease, I know all too well how cold it gets when standing still on an exposed parade ground, so my promise to you is that I shall keep this short, allowing you to get through those grand doors and on to your hard-earned celebrations!" he added.

Although both first met briefly in 1934, The then-Princess Elizabeth reconnected with her husband-to-be at the college in July 1939, just two months before the outbreak of World War II across Europe. She would later share that she "never had eyes for another" after that encounter that led to their romance. The pair married in November 1947 in a royal wedding that revitalized the nation's spirits in the post-war years.

Philip eventually attained the rank of Lieutenant Commander in the Royal Navy before giving up his career in July 1951 as George VI's health deteriorated. Elizabeth became the monarch at age 25 on February 6, 1952, due to her father's sudden death, which permanently ended Philip's career in the Armed Forces.

Both William and King Charles served in the Royal Navy, which was part of their overall commitment to the military as future Commanders-In-Chief. Although the Prince of Wales was primarily associated with the British Army and Royal Air Force, he made his speech all about the vital role the Royal Navy plays in British society.

"I fully appreciate that standing here in these beautiful and peaceful surroundings, the risks of leadership on the front line might seem a world away, but you will shortly be marching through these doors behind me because you are trained, and ready to take the next step on your journeys as Naval Officers. To the families and friends gathered here and watching online — thank you for your support and understanding to get these brilliant men and women this far, and even more so for the empathy, compromise, and dedication that will be required to give these Young Officers every chance of success in their careers," the king-in-waiting stated.

William concluded: "Finally, to you, our newest Naval Officers, congratulations. I wish you every success as you embark on this incredible journey of duty and service to our Nation; thank you."

People reported on William's speech.