King Charles will take over the position of Captain General of the Royal Marines, which his son Prince Harry vacated in March 2020 after ceasing to perform royal duties.
The announcement was made on Friday by Buckingham Palace in honor of the 358th anniversary of the Corps of Royal Marines’ formation, which took place on October 28, 1664, under King Charles II.
The Royal Marine Commandos are the Royal Navy’s amphibious forces and are widely regarded as one of the most elite fighting units in the world. They are deployed all over the world as experts in combat in harsh environments, taking part in the riskiest missions in the toughest environments.
The monarch, including the King’s grandfather and great-grandfather, has traditionally held the position of ceremonial commander of the Royal Marines.
The King wrote a special letter to the Royal Marines in honor of their 358th birthday today “It gives me the utmost pleasure to serve as your Captain General. I am incredibly proud to carry on the tradition of so many members of my family who have held the position with great admiration over the past three and a half centuries.
Photo: DAVID ROSE/POOL/AFP VIA GETTY
“Both on land and at sea, the history of the Royal Marines is illustrious and unmatched. You inspire me greatly with your courage, tenacity, self-control, and remarkable ability to persevere in the most trying circumstances.
“I feel incredibly honored to join the Corps Family and am eager to get to know many of you in the near future. In the interim, please accept this along with my warmest congratulations on your 358th birthday. As the sea, so the earth.”
The King started a career in the Royal Navy and trained as a helicopter pilot at the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines (CTCRM) in Lympstone, Devon. Later, the monarch participated in military drills in the Western Atlantic and the West Indies while serving on board HMS Hermes with Royal Marines as part of the 845 Naval Air Squadron.
The late Queen’s lone surviving child was rumored to be following in the footsteps of the late Duke of Edinburgh, who served as Captain General of the Royal Marines for 64 years until 2017. The Princess also serves as Commodore-in-Chief for Portsmouth and is the patron of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity.
