King Charles.Photo:Jonathan Brady-WPA Pool/Getty

Royal Marines and members of the band line up during a ceremony where King Charles III will present members of the Royal Navy with the Royal Victorian Order, in the Quadrangle at Windsor Castle, for their part in Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral procession

Jonathan Brady-WPA Pool/Getty

King Charlesis recognizing the Royal Navy personnel who participated in his motherQueen Elizabeth’sstate funeral.

On Tuesday morning, the King distributed Royal Victorian Orders to around 150 Royal Naval servicemen and women at Windsor Castle. The honors were presented to personnel who were part of his mother’s funeral processions in September 2022 and were awarded in a special parade and medal presentation.

The group included over 100 Naval Ratings who drew the State Gun Carriage bearing Queen Elizabeth’s coffin through London on Sept. 19. Sailors have pulled the State Gun Carriage at the funerals of British monarchs since King Edward VII after horses transporting Queen Victoria’s coffin got spooked at her funeral in 1901 and nearly tipped it over,CNNreported.

King Charles.

Royal Marines and members of the band line up during a ceremony where King Charles III will present members of the Royal Navy with the Royal Victorian Order, in the Quadrangle at Windsor Castle, for their part in Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral procession

King Charles.Maja Smiejkowska-WPA Pool/Getty

Royal Marines and members of the band line up during a ceremony where King Charles III will present members of the Royal Navy with the Royal Victorian Order, in the Quadrangle at Windsor Castle, for their part in Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral procession

Maja Smiejkowska-WPA Pool/Getty

King Charles awarded the medals to each individual and amicably chatted as he moved down the line. The King spoke to Paisley Chambers-Smith, a medical assistant who is seven months pregnant, and shook hands with other servicemen and women.

After the honors were presented, the King returned to the dais for a second Royal Salute and National Anthem to mark the end of the parade. He seemed to be in good spirits as he laughed and chatted with family members of the awardees.

King Charles.Jonathan Brady-WPA Pool/Getty

Royal Marines and members of the band line up during a ceremony where King Charles III will present members of the Royal Navy with the Royal Victorian Order, in the Quadrangle at Windsor Castle, for their part in Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral procession

Can’t get enough of PEOPLE’s Royals coverage?Sign up for our free Royals newsletterto get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!

Queen Elizabeth state funeral.Chris Jackson/Getty

Members of the Royal Navy lead HM Queen Elizabeth’s coffin to Westminster Abbey during The State Funeral Of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey

Chris Jackson/Getty

The British military played a pivotal role in the state occasion, from theceremonial processionsto the somber honor of carrying her coffin.

source: people.com