SOLDIERS and their families received royal approval ahead of The Black Watch's deployment to war-torn Iraq.

The Prince of Wales, the regiment's Commander in Chief, flew in by helicopter on Friday for a two-hour visit to Copehill Down training village on Salisbury Plain.

During the visit he saw the soldiers take part in riot control exercises and checkpoint training and was introduced to their families.

Private Hendry, of D Company, said: "He asked me what training I had done prior to Iraq and how I

feel about going back.

"I didn't go the first time so I told him I'm really looking forward to it. It's quite an honour to have Prince Charles as our Colonel in Chief."

Eugenie Tomlin, wife of Adjutant Captain Neil Tomlin, is five months pregnant.

She said: "It's quite something for a prince to come over and ask me about my baby.

"I was far more worried last time Neil went to Iraq but this time I think they have a harder role to fulfil as they do not really have a job specification and they won't know their enemy."

Soldier Colin Hamilton lost his leg in Kosovo in 2001 but is heading out to Iraq with his regiment after three years of rehabilitation.

He said: "My CEO told the Prince about my injury and he asked me what happened.

"I said: 'Your Highness, unfortunately I wasn't fast enough' and he laughed.

"I'm glad to be back with my regiment I was left behind last time and missed out."

Twins Sean and Wayde Pasifull, 21, are preparing to go to Iraq. Wayde is leaving behind his wife Kerrie and newborn son Jason Lee.

He said: "The Prince came across quite friendly. I'm looking forward to going to Iraq with my brother."

Prince Charles said his grandmother, the former Commander in Chief of The Black Watch, had told him stories about the regiment when he was young.

He praised The Black Watch for their success in Iraq during the conflict last year and wished them luck in the coming months.

He said: "This time when you go to Iraq I'm sure you will come across many challenging circumstances but you always manage somehow to get through them.

"There are not many who are aware that you do this, getting on with the job and helping to win the peace in this poor troubled country.

"I will hope and pray for all of you and I shall be watching and thinking of you a great deal as you do your job incredibly well. Godspeed and look after yourselves."

The Prince was also introduced to Lance Corporal Laing, who was honoured with the Military Cross during last year's action in Iraq and spent an hour sharing refreshments with families at the training centre.

The Black Watch has been the training regiment at Warminster Land Warfare Centre for three months after serving during the Iraqi conflict last year.

The regiment was praised for helping take control of the southern Iraqi city of Basra but will now be tasked with a peacekeeping role during the transition to democracy in Iraq.

By August over 400 soldiers will be fully deployed and the regiment is expected to be back in Warminster by the new year.

An advance party from The Black Watch arrived in Iraq on Sunday.