As Captain General Royal Marines and Ceremonial Head of the Royal Marines, King Charles paid a visit to the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines at Lympstone in Devon, to spend time with Royal Marine trainees and instructors, as well as families and veterans of the Corps.
It was the first visit for Charles to the Centre since he took over the role as Captain General in 2022 – a role previously held by The Duke of Sussex and Prince Philip.
The Commando Training Centre is the main training centre for the Royal Marines, with around, 1,300 recruits, 2,000 potential recruits and 400 potential Officers attend training courses every year.
His Majesty greets Royal Marine Recruits during a training exercise. (Royal Navy)
The visit was sure to bring back some memories for King Charles as he underwent commando training with the Royal Marines at the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines in 1974. As Prince of Wales, Charles’ training took place whilst he was serving with 845 Naval Air Squadron.
The engagement also marked the first time since the reign of George VI in 1939 when the King’s Badge was presented by a King. A Green Beret was also presented to the best all-round member of the King’s Squad on completion of their Commando Training. In 1918, it was George V who decided that the senior training squad should be known as the King’ Squad and the best all-round recruit would be awarded the King’s Badge.
This year, The King’s Badge was presented to Marine Stephens from North Wales who had suffered a major injury last year when he was just three weeks from passing out. However, after ten months recuperating, he resumed training this autumn and completed his training.
His Majesty presented the King’s Badge – the first time a king has presented the badge since King George VI in 1939 – and a Green Beret to the best all-round member of the King’s Squad on completion of their Commando Training. (Royal Family)
Speaking about the moment Charles presented him with the King’s Badge Marine Stephens said ‘This moment will stay with me for ever. I know the last time a King presented the King’s Badge was back in 1939, it’s quite daunting to think that I will be only the second Royal Marine to enjoy that honour. Definitely the hardest part of my training was when I was injured, a real shock to pick up a leg injury, after doing so well for so long. But with determination I took the knock, got back up again and got myself back to where I wanted to be’.
Another personnel who also overcame adversity after injury was Marine Joseph Ryan from Merseyside, who has become the only recipient of a green beret from King Charles. He received the Commando Medal for epitomising the commando spirit and ethos through his conversion from civilian to Royal Marine.
‘Being presented my green beret by the King is amazing – honestly the biggest honour I could ever have. I’m very aware that no-one in the Royal Marines has had their beret presented by the monarch, I’m so proud. It is a great honour! The lads in the troop have been brilliant, a really great bunch of guys, we’ve been through so much in the past few weeks together’.
Charles was presented with a photograph from 1976 of his time at Commando Training Centre Lympstone. (Royal Navy)
At the Tarzan Assault Course, His Majesty saw recruits completing one of the four Commando Tests which qualify them to wear the esteemed Green Beret.
Charles also saw a number of the facilities that he used when he trained as a helicopter pilot. Colonel Innes Catton revealed that The King ‘was remembering [his own experience]. He wasn’t very kind in his description about it, he said it was very uncomfortable but nonetheless enjoyed recalling it and often asked a lot of recruits about their experiences of the commando test’.
The King inspected the Kings Squad of the Royal Marine Commandos and presented the ranks with their hard earned green berets. (Royal Navy)
During the visit, The King addressed recruits and their families stating ‘as history has demonstrated, the Royal Marines have continued to remain at the very heart of our Nation’s defence, standing steadfast at the vanguard of change’.
‘From amphibious operations to extreme climates, you are joining a specialist Service that has long been devoted to preserving and pioneering our Nation’s military strength, alongside our allies and partners at home and abroad. It is this operational excellence, underpinned by your unique skillset and training, which will ensure that all of you, as Royal Marines, will help to perpetuate our peace and freedom, both now and in the future’.
Charles concluded his speech by wishing the recruits ‘every possible success and good fortune’ as they embark on the duty and service to the nation. His Majesty added that he has pride in each and every cadet and admires their ‘admiration for passing such a demanding course’.
