King Charles is celebrating Britain’s young cadets as the country marks its first-ever National Cadets Week.
Kicking off the inaugural nationwide celebration dedicated to the UK’s Cadet Forces – which is taking place from October 5 to 11, 2026 – Buckingham Palace issued the monarch’s heartwarming message, in which he shows his support for the young cadets.
In his letter, Charles III wrote, “For more than a century, the Cadet Forces have helped generations of young people discover their strengths, broaden their horizons and develop the confidence to face life’s challenges.”
The message continued, “In every part of our country, from our cities and towns to our rural and coastal communities, cadets come together to learn new skills, build lasting friendships and contribute positively to the communities in which they live.”
On Instagram, the palace noted, “As the first National Cadets Week begins, The King has sent his thanks to young people, volunteers and families across the United Kingdom."
It added, "From the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force youth organisations to those linked with the fire, police and ambulance services, hundreds of thousands of young people are developing new skills, building confidence, serving their communities and forming lasting friendships.”
What is National Cadets Week?
National Cadets Week 2026 is a nationwide celebration launched by the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence to honour the achievements of the nation’s Cadet Forces and their young volunteers.
When is National Cadets Week?
The 2026 National Cadets Week is taking place from Monday, October 5, to Sunday, October 11.
National Cadets Day participants
The celebration involves approximately 137,000 cadets and 28,000 adult volunteers across five Ministry of Defence-sponsored cadet forces in the UK.
The five primary Ministry of Defence-sponsored organisations include: Sea Cadets, Army Cadets, Air Cadets, Combined Cadet Force (CCF), and Volunteer Cadet Corps (VCC).
National Cadets Day purpose
The purpose of the National Cadets Week is to celebrate the achievements of young cadets, honour adult volunteer and inspire new recruitment.
