16/10/2026
OKEHAMPTON DETACHMENT MAKES HISTORY ON ROYAL VISIT TO LONDON
Cadets welcomed as guests of Her Majesty Queen Camilla for an unforgettable day of royal and military tradition.
Cadets from Okehampton Detachment, Devon Army Cadet Force, enjoyed a once-in-a-lifetime experience in London as guests of Her Majesty Queen Camilla during Operation Royal Oke.
Escorted through the Palace gardens to Buckingham Palace forecourt, the cadets marched out on to the forecourt to witness the world-famous Changing of the Guard, watched by tens of thousands of spectators. The ceremony included a special addition performed by the Welsh Guards to mark the centenary of Winnie-the-Pooh.
The detachment then toured the Royal Mews with the King’s Head Chauffeur, seeing the magnificent state vehicles and iconic Gold State Coach, before being welcomed to Wellington Barracks for lunch by the Brigade Major of the Household Division.
The afternoon continued at the Guards Museum, where cadets explored regimental history and tried on the iconic scarlet tunics and bearskin hats. At Horse Guards, Lieutenant Colonel Foinette welcomed the group to Wellington’s Office and promoted seven cadets in recognition of their commitment and achievements. Something that has never happened in this office before, a room usually reserved for the major general and the royal family.
One of the day’s most poignant moments came when the detachment was granted permission to parade down Whitehall to the Cenotaph. Corporal Law and Corporal Raines laid two wreaths: one on behalf of Okehampton Army Cadets and the other representing Okehampton Branch of the Royal British Legion.
Staff Sergeant White led the detachmentacross the iconic Horse Guards Parade square for one final parade, a fitting end to an unforgettable day, before returning to the waiting coaches for the journey home to Okehampton.
The cadets’ excellent conduct and exemplary representation of Okehampton made a lasting impression on the Household Division. In recognition of their behaviour throughout the visit, the Guards extended an invitation for the detachment to return to London next year to witness Trooping the Colour, one of the most prestigious events in the royal ceremonial calendar.
S2lt Caunter, Detachment Commander, said:
“I am immensely proud of our cadets. They represented Okehampton brilliantly, experiencing our nation’s military traditions at the highest level while demonstrating the values of teamwork, leadership, and respect. To finish the day by laying wreaths at the Cenotaph was a particularly moving honour. The invitation to return for Trooping the Colour is the icing on the cake and a wonderful recognition of the standards our young people have demonstrated.”
Operation Royal Oke provided unforgettable memories and a powerful reminder of the opportunities available to young people through the Army Cadet Force. Find out more at https://armycadets.com/join-now/