The Prince of Wales has formally presented the Sovereign’s Colour for the Royal Navy to the Royal Navy Reserve (RNR) for the first time in their 100-year history.

The event at Horse Guards Parade on May 17 marked the centenary year of the Naval Volunteer Reserves and recognised the RNR’s continuing support to the Royal Navy.

The Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (RNVR) was established by the Naval Forces Act of 1903 to provide a trained cadre of officers and ratings for the Fleet, with an eye on the worrying build-up of the German Navy.

They went on to contribute a remarkable 83 per cent of the strength in the World Wars and were awarded a total of 22 VCs.

The parade saw more than 1,500 reservists on parade watched by an audience of several thousand in the Horse Guards arena.

Reservists train alongside regular Servicemen and women and support the Royal Navy in crisis and war – the conflict in Iraq was a good example, with more than 300 Naval reservists having been mobilised for service ashore and afloat.