Prince Charles yesterday paid tribute to his tragic pal Lt Col Rupert Thorneloe. Charles, colonel-in-chief of the Welsh Guards, had met the high-flying officer and his widow Sally many times. The Prince inspected the troops in February at their barracks in Aldershot before they left for Afghanistan.
He said he was “mortified” when he heard the “heartbreaking” news of his death. Charles said: “The whole battalion is suffering. It is a wonderful family regiment I’ve been involved with for 34 years. To lose a commanding officer who was such an inspiring person is an awful tragedy.”
He added: “I was horrified about both deaths, Trooper Hammond as well. Having met the families and having met Col Rupert’s wife, my heart is very much with them.
“It goes to show the troops out there are meeting daily horrors. We owe them a huge debt of gratitude.”
