The Prince of Wales is making a rare appearance alongside his father the King to support an important association

Prince William at Windsor Castle on May 1, 2025.Credit : Yui Mok/WPA Pool/Getty

Prince William is stepping out with King Charles and Queen Camilla to recognize recipients of the U.K.’s highest honors for gallantry.

On May 1, the Prince of Wales joined his father, the King, and Queen Camilla in hosting a Windsor Castle reception for members of the Victoria Cross and George Cross Association.

Royal family members often team up for receptions where their interests overlap, but it’s not common for King Charles and Prince William to unite for a royal engagement. However, they both have connections to the association: the King is patron while his eldest son, the Prince of Wales, is president.

The celebration commemorated the achievements of the Victoria Cross and George Cross Association. The Victoria Cross is Britain’s highest military honor awarded for valor “in the presence of the enemy,” while the George Cross is given to commend “acts of the greatest heroism or of the most conspicuous courage in circumstances of extreme danger” and is eligible for civilians.

Prince William, King Charles and Queen Camilla at Windsor Castle on May 1, 2025.Yui Mok/WPA Pool/Getty

King Charles follows his mother, Queen Elizabeth, as patron of the Victoria Cross and George Cross Association, and the royal family has a rich history with the organization.

Charles had previously supported the group as president starting in 2003 and took on the elevated role when he acceded to the throne in 2022. The Victoria Cross and George Cross Association’s first president was Prime Minister Winston Churchill, and Charles’ beloved grandmother, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, took over the role after Churchill’s death.

The royal reception on Thursday began with a group photo, before King Charles, Queen Camilla and Prince William met with members of the association and their families.

Queen Camilla at Windsor Castle on May 1, 2025.Yui Mok/PA Wire/ZUMA

Queen Elizabeth traditionally held receptions for the Victoria Cross and George Cross Association (abbreviated as the VC & GC Association) every four years, and the last such was held in May 2018. The latest celebration doubles as the first reception for the association to be held at Windsor Castle since 2006.

The organization is dedicated to supporting holders of the honors and their families, educating the public on the awards and restoring or occasionally creating graves or memorials affiliated with VC and GC holders.

King Charles at Windsor Castle on May 1, 2025.Yui Mok/WPA Pool/Getty