King Charles recalls ‘immense pride’ during speech at sons’ alma mater

King Charles III had a proud father moment Friday while addressing graduating cadets at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.

The 74-year-old royal and father of Prince William, 40, and Prince Harry, 38, inspected the 171 newly commissioned Army officers who have finished their 44 weeks of training — something both his boys completed at Sandhurst in 2006.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I am so very pleased to be with you today for the 200th Sovereign’s Parade and to share in this most special of days for those of you commissioning as the future leaders of the British Army, and the armies of our close allies,” Charles began his address.

“I am under no illusions as to how hard you have all worked over the past 44 weeks, and I hope you feel justifiably proud of your achievements. Of course, I know you would not be here without the tremendous support of your family and friends who, I am delighted to see, can join us in such numbers today,” the king continued.

“And, speaking as a father of two alumni of this academy who remembers their passing out parades, I know they will be full of immense pride in witnessing you on parade,” he added.

While Charles himself did not attend Sandhurst, he did complete his military training at Royal Air Force Cranwell and Royal Naval College Dartmouth, drawing upon those experiences to relate to the new graduates in his remarks.

“Having attended — and survived! — two of the other military academies 50 years ago, I think I have some idea of the challenges which are inherent in military training,” Charles said.

“I have experienced the nerves, the exhaustion — even the self-doubt — but, despite such recollections, it is the lifelong friendships which are forged through shared hardship, and the humor that you find in the darkest hours of the coldest, wettest nights, which remain with you.”

His speech comes three weeks before his May 6 coronation. The ceremony will mark the official transfer of power to Charles following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, in September.

The estranged Harry plans to attend, while his wife, Meghan Markle, 41, will stay back at their California home.

The king is apparently “very disappointed that he won’t see Meghan or his grandchildren, but understands the situation.” However, a royal expert predicts William and his wife, Kate Middleton, 41, are likely “relieved” Markle won’t make it.

Meanwhile, Sarah Ferguson, 63, doesn’t seem to be fazed by not being invited to the coronation, despite still living with her ex-husband, Prince Andrew, also 63.

“I personally will be having a little tea room and coronation chicken sandwich and putting out the bunting,” she said about the big day, per Hello! Magazine.

“That’s what I’m going to be doing. Because that would make me very happy,” the author went on, adding that she’s more than content to watch the ceremony on TV because “you hear a lot on the telly.”

Even as the coronation creeps closer, Charles has reportedly only had one “informal” rehearsal, at Buckingham Palace. The real event will unfold at Westminster Abbey in London.