King Charles III, as Captain General of the Royal Marines Visits Royal Marines Training Centre in Devon
King Charles, as Captain General Royal Marines, has visited the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines at Lympstone in Devon. His trip comes a day after celebrating his 76th birthday. The King spent time with Royal Marine trainees and instructors, as well as families and veterans of the Corps, after presenting he King’s Badge and a Green Beret to the best all-round member of the King’s Squad on completion of their Commando Training.
The King’s historic appointment reflects a tradition of monarchs serving in this capacity. His visit underscores his ongoing connection to the Royal Marines, which dates back to his own training at the center in 1974 when he was the Prince of Wales. During that time, he qualified as a helicopter pilot and served with a Royal Marines detachment aboard HMS Hermes, later taking command of HMS Bronington before completing his naval service.
The Royal Marines, known for their expertise in amphibious operations and deployments in extreme environments, have a storied history, including their formation in 1664 under King Charles II. The King’s visit highlights his continued commitment to honouring and supporting the military forces of the United Kingdom.
The Commando Training Centre is the primary training centre for the Royal Marines, divided into three training wings (Command Wing, Commando Training Wing and Specialist Training Wing) each with its own Commanding Officer. On average, 1,300 recruits, 2,000 potential recruits and 400 potential Officers attend training courses every year.
