The King was left “profoundly shocked” by the fatal Royal Navy helicopter crash in Devon and said the service of those killed was “held in the highest regard”.

Charles spoke publicly for the first time about the crash earlier this week as he presented new colours to Royal Marines Commando units during a Windsor Castle ceremony.

Charles, who flew helicopters with the Royal Navy in the 1970s, described himself as a “Junglie”, the affectionate nickname for the Royal Navy’s Commando Helicopter Force, during a speech to Royal Marines on parade and hundreds of veterans, families and friends.

The King said: “I also wish to take this opportunity to acknowledge with the greatest sadness the crash of a Royal Navy helicopter on Wednesday.

“As a former Junglie pilot 845 Naval Air Squadron, I was profoundly shocked to hear this most tragic news. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the families, friends, and colleagues of those involved.

“Their service is held in the highest regard, and they remain very much in our prayers.”

Before the event began a minute’s silence was held for the Royal Navy helicopter crash victims, Lieutenant Lily-Mae Fisher, Lieutenant Commander Chris Gayson and Petty Officer Owen Green, who all died in the incident at Sourton Down, near Okehampton, just before 4am on Wednesday.

Charles, who has written privately to the families of those killed in the crash, went on to say: “I know that this devastating incident would have affected every one of us here today.

“However, it is most heartening to see the representatives of some of our oldest and closest international allies and partners present on this very special occasion.

“I can only pray that these bonds of friendship, forged through shared ordeals based on shared ideas, continue in the years ahead.”

Britain’s only female Royal Navy commando was one of the three victims of the Devon helicopter crash.

Lt Lily-Mae Fisher, 31, who was based in Yeovil, Somerset, was a member of the Royal Navy from May 2019 before her death in the incident.

The crash took place during her final assessment of flying training and she was due to be awarded her Pilot’s wings in June 2026.

She described it as a “massive privilege and a huge honour to serve my country” – with her achievement as the only British female Royal Navy commando being praised by Nato.

31-year-old Lily-Mae shared her experience in the Royal Navy and advice for those wanting to follow in her footsteps on social media.

In June 2022, she became the first serving female Royal Navy Commando.

She shared photos and videos of herself online, proudly wearing her green beret, which is worn exclusively by those who pass the commando course.

At the time, she shared a photograph of herself on her social media saying:

“In this photo I was so broken, 16 weeks of relentless physical and mental challenges. Just being thankful each evening I was still there, uninjured, and passing.

“There were so many times I thought, ‘I don’t know if I can pass’ or ‘this is the hardest thing I have ever done’. But mental resilience, the stubbornness, the drive, to achieve what I set out to do was stronger than any of those doubts.

“Knowing that earning the Green Beret will open doors into more advanced courses, more opportunities, and also to overcome the fear of failure, the first time truly in my life where I was terrified of failing, everyday.”

The trainee royal navy pilot had a large following online where she regularly shared her pride at succeeding in a stereotypically male world.

Last year, she shared a post, writing: “After 5 years of struggles with applying to the military, plus another 6.5 years of flying, holdovers, tough courses, amazing opportunities, sporting achievements, and incredible people by my side… I finally stepped into the cockpit of a Merlin 🙌🏻🚁

“It’s been a long road, but I’m so proud and happy to be here!”

Paying tribute to her, her family said: “Lily-Mae was an extraordinary woman, daughter, sister, and partner. To say she was full of life is an understatement: she took every opportunity to push her limits, achieve more, and bring out the best in those around her.

“We are so proud of everything she accomplished. She has left an immeasurable hole in our lives, and in all the lives she has touched and inspired. The family kindly ask for time and space at this difficult time.”

Liutenant Commander Chris Gayson also lost his life in the crash.

The 42-year-old had studied for a Masters in Aerospace Engineering at the University of Bath before gaining his Pilot Wings in October 2012.

He had a varied career with the Royal Navy, including serving with the 845 NAS, taking on the role of Air Safety Officer before becoming Lieutenant Commander in 2020 when he assumed the role of Senior Pilot of the Sixty Sqn.

His family paid tribute to him saying: “Chris was an extremely kind and gentle family man who loved his entire family dearly.

“He was also passionate about and dedicated to his job in the Royal Navy.”

In a statement, the Royal Navy said: “An utmost professional, his leadership of the Operational Conversion Flight was exemplary, and his loss is a huge blow to the Royal Navy, Force, and Squadron.”

Also killed in the crash was Petty Officer Owen Green.

The 24-year-old joined the Royal Navy in January of 2022 and rapidly progressed through the ranks.

He played a key role in major exercises, including in demanding arctic conditions where he accumulate the highest-flying hours among his peers.

His family said: “Losing Owen has left us all devastated. His life was far too short, and our hearts will forever be broken.

“He was a caring and devoted son, brother, grandson, and partner to Iona, whom he loved and cherished.

“His kindness, warmth, and character touched everyone who knew him. We are so proud of him achieving his life’s goal to serve in the Royal Navy as a Junglie Aircrewman and are grateful for the joy he brought into ours and Iona’s lives.

“He is so loved and will remain in our hearts forever.

Defence Secretary John Healey described all three as “dedicated and highly valued members of their squadrons who embodied the best of our Armed Forces”.

The Merlin Mk4 helicopter crashed into a field during a training exercise over Dartmoor, leaving the aircraft completely destroyed.

Members of the UK armed forces have started paying tribute to the three killed in the crash.

Commanding Officer of Commando Helicopter Force, Colonel Will Penkman, said: “It is a tragedy that we lost three members of the CHF family yesterday.

“Cherished members of the force with bright futures ahead of them, they were all highly committed professionals infused with the Junglie spirit of the force.

“Their loss leaves a terrible gap in our hearts and my thoughts go out to their family and friends who dearly loved them.”

In a statement, the Ministry of Defence said: “It is with great sadness that we can confirm the deaths of Lieutenant Commander Chris Gayson and Lieutenant Lily-Mae Fisher of 846 Navy Air Squadron, and Petty Officer Owen Green of 845 Navy Air Squadron, who died in Devon during routine training activity on 3 June.”

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said Lt Fisher, Lt Cdr Gayson and Petty Officer Green were based in Yeovil, Somerset – with the first two serving with 846 Naval Air Squadron and the latter with 845 Naval Air Squadron.

Also paying tribute to the trio, Commander of Joint Aviation Command, Air Vice-Marshal Lee Turner, said: “The loss of three deeply capable and professional aviators during the tragic incident yesterday is the cause of profound sadness across the Joint Aviation Command and the Commando Helicopter Force in particular.

“They will be greatly missed, and our thoughts are with the families and all those affected.”

The aircraft crashed into a field just before 4am on Wednesday 3 June at Sourton Down, near Okehampton.

The scene of the crash is close to Okehampton battle camp, a military facility on the edge of Dartmoor which has been used for training Merlin helicopter crews from the Commando Helicopter Force.

It lies between the Royal Navy’s air bases at RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset and RNAS Culdrose in Cornwall.

In a statement, the head of the Navy, General Sir Gwyn Jenkins said: “I am deeply saddened to share the news that three crew members onboard a Royal Navy Merlin Mk4 helicopter have died after it crashed in the early hours of this morning near Sourton, Devon.

“I know this will come as a huge shock to all in our Naval community, and my deepest condolences go out to the families, friends and loved ones impacted by this tragedy.

“I would like to thank Devon and Cornwall Police and the search and rescue teams who responded to the incident this morning.

“An investigation is under way and further updates will be provided in due course.”