The Prince of Wales met one of the newest recruits to the Mercian Regiment – a ram called Private Derby XXXII – when he visited Bulford Camp near Salisbury.

Charles was at the military base to mark his 10 years as colonel-in-chief of the fighting force.

The Prince of Wales inspects troops and meets Private Derby XXII, a Swaledale Ram and the Regimental Mascot during his visit to the 1st Battalion the Mercian Regiment
The royal was all smiles as he met the regimental mascot (Peter Nicholls/PA)
Royal visit to Bulford Camp
The 20-month-old Swaledale ram, who has a reputation for being feisty, was happy to be stroked by Charles (Peter Nicholls/PA)
The Prince of Wales meets Private Derby XXII, a Swaledale Ram and the Regimental Mascot during his visit to the 1st Battalion the Mercian Regiment
The ram, who only took up its role a few weeks ago, was introduced by Ram Major Corporal Philip Thornton and Ram Orderly Private Lee Bradbury (Peter Nicholls/PA)
The Prince of Wales inspects troops during his visit to the 1st Battalion the Mercian Regiment
The Mercian Regiment has deployed twice to Iraq and seven times to Afghanistan since its foundation in 2007 (Peter Nicholls/PA)
Royal visit to Bulford Camp
Its capabilities include a light role infantry battalion, an armoured infantry battalion equipped with the Warrior fighting vehicle, and an Army Reserve battalion (Peter Nicholls/PA)
The Prince of Wales during his visit to the 1st Battalion the Mercian Regiment
Charles wore combat fatigues, black boots and a beret for the visit (Peter Nicholls/PA)
Royal visit to Bulford Camp
He spent time chatting to recruits … (Peter Nicholls/PA)
The Prince of Wales inspects troops during his visit to the 1st Battalion the Mercian Regiment
… sharing a laugh or two as well (Peter Nicholls/PA)