MDF soldiers who took part in King Charles’ coronation decorated

Ten Malawi Defence Force (MDF) personnel who took part in the UK-Commonwealth Coronation procession of His Majesty King Charles III were, last Thursday, decorated with King’s Coronation Medals at a colourful event in Lilongwe which was graced by The British High Commissioner Fiona Ritchie and MDF officials led by Commander General Paul Phiri.

Speaking during the ceremony, Ritchie said the UK was honoured to have Malawi represented at the Coronation, saying Malawi is one of UK’s closest friends in Africa and member of the Commonwealth family.

Ritchie added that UK and Malawi militaries share a historic and close relationship with regular exchanges; training courses; and the UK’s role in deployment training for MDF peacekeeping troops.

“We see in the MDF the professionalism, ethos and discipline that is a hallmark of our armed forces too. The MDF has been an instrumental part of the success and stability of Malawi since 1964. Throughout its post-independence history, when faced with difficult circumstances, the MDF has always chosen to do the right thing.

We see this internationally – with your deployments to Mozambique in the 1980s and in the past decade to DRC. And domestically – at times of political crisis or change in Malawi.

“Whether it was disarming paramilitaries as the country transitioned to democracy in the 1990s or following the Constitution at times of political change, the MDF has always chosen to do the right thing.

That’s what makes the MDF such a respected institution, it’s what lies at the root of your and our ethos and it’s what makes us so proud to award His Majesty’s Coronation medals to you today,” said Ritchie.

For his part, the Malawi Defence Force Commander General Phiri said the Coronation medals symbolise the strong partnership that exists between Malawi and the United Kingdom, and reinforce the two countries’ shared commitment to collaboration and solidarity.

“The involvement of our troops in the coronation ceremony of His Majesty the King was both an honour and a testament to the enduring ties that unite our nations. This esteemed recognition stands as a powerful symbol of our mutual dedication to fostering peace, cooperation, and solidarity,” said Phiri.

King Charles III Coronation, which drew 4000 troops from the UK and Commonwealth, took place in 2023, almost exactly 70 years after his mother, Queen Elizabeth II’s, coronation in 1953.