Prior to the fire fighters' strikes of 2003, the regiment received basic fire fighting training to provide emergency cover. The regiment operated in the Greater Manchester area during the strikes as part of Operation Fresco.

Almost two-months after President George W. Bush declared an end to "major combat operations" in Iraq in his "Mission Accomplished" speech on 1 May 2003, the King's and elements of the territorial King's and Cheshire Regiment deployed to the country with 19 Mechanised Brigade. Under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Ciaran Griffin, 1 King's and its battlegroup operated primarily in Basra Province during the initial period of post-war occupation. Tactics familiar to the King's Regiment, that had been employed in Northern Ireland and the Balkans, were adopted by the British forces occupying the south of Iraq. Unless conditions dictated the wearing of helmets and deployment of Warriors, 1 King's disembarked from Land Rovers to conduct foot patrols in "soft hats" (berets). During its tour, 1 King's organised vehicle checkpoints, seized munitions, trained local forces, mediated tribal disputes, and engaged in a "hearts and minds" campaign. Civil disorder also occupied the battalion, particularly when rioting occurred in August and October. The British attributed the violent demonstrations in August to Iraqi grievances over the scarcity of fuel and power shortages, compounded by oppressive temperatures exceeding 50 °C (122 °F).

The King's returned to Catterick in November 2003. No fatal casualties had been incurred by the regiment and two regular officers and a territorial corporal were decorated with operational gallantry awards in recognition of their contributions. In December 2004, it was announced that the King's Regiment, along with the King's Own Royal Border Regiment and the Queen's Lancashire Regiment, would be amalgamated to form the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment (King's Lancashire and Border) as part of the restructuring of the infantry.

On formation of the new regiment on 1st July 2006, 1 King's became the 2nd Battalion the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment (2 LANCS) but very quickly the manpower of all three merging regiments was deliberately mixed to give the new regiment its own character. The three regular army battalions of the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment were then merged to form two regular battalions. The third, territorial army battalion was formed a short time after the merger.

Some elements of the heritage of the King's Regiment continue on. In particular, Privates in the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment are known as Kingsmen; uniform buttons display the emblem of the King's Regiment - the Fleur de Lys; the white horse of Hanover is displayed on the colours; the motto of the new regiment remains:

'Nec Aspera Terrent'. (Difficulties be Damned) (Lit: Nor do difficulties deter)

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