Army officer from Amersham preparing for King's Coronation

Friday, 5 May 2023 07:00

An Army officer from Amersham is getting ready to go on parade for the Coronation of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla tomorrow.

Captain Jonathon Nice, of Queen’s Royal Hussars (QRH), will be marching in the procession of more than 5,000 military personnel that escorts Their Majesties from Saturday’s coronation service at Westminster Abbey back to Buckingham Palace.

Capt Nice is taking part in large scale rehearsals that will turn individual soldier’s polishing of their kit and units’ drill practice into a glittering spectacle fit to mark the crowning of a new King and Queen.

The 29-year-old said: “It’s a huge privilege to be here, for two reasons: Firstly, King Charles was my inspecting officer when I passed out at Sandhurst, so the start of my career was forged with His Majesty stepping off from the parade square exactly where we’ve been rehearsing. Secondly, we’re currently deployed on operations in Estonia as part of NATO’s enhanced forward presence.

“So to have the opportunity to come back from an operation working overseas on behalf of His Majesty means a huge amount to myself and the Regiment.”

Capt Nice, who went to Berkhamsted School in Hertfordshire, has been serving for nine years and commissioned as an officer in 2015. He is currently deployed on his second tour of Estonia.

“Until a few days ago we were in our tanks in Estonia,” the father-of-one said. “And as soon as the Coronation is over, we will be on the next flight to the Baltics to continue with our role. Ultimately, we are on an operational footing.”