The Prince of Wales during a ceremony to present new colours to the Parachute Regiment at Merville Barracks in Colchester. Picture: PA PRINCE Charles cast a careful eye over Colchester’s parachute regiment during a “momentous and historic” visit to the town’s garrison. The Prince of Wales, Colonel in Chief of the regiment, presented the army’s world-renowned airborne battalions with new colours - military ceremonial flags - at Merville Barracks yesterday. A regiment spokesman said: “It was a momentous and historic occasion. The Prince of Wales meets Parachute Regimental Mascot, Shetland Pony, Pegasus “The last time colours were presented to the regiment was in 1998, and this month marks the 50th anniversary of His Royal Highness’s first parachute jump.”