According to a recent update from the Royal Navy, His Majesty the King made a significant visit to the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines (CTCRM) in Lympstone, marking his first appearance there as the ceremonial head of the Royal Marines.
The visit saw the King overseeing the completion ceremony of 362 Troop, the latest cohort to earn the coveted green beret after 32 weeks of rigorous training.
In an emotional moment, the King awarded the prestigious King’s Badge to Marine Stephens from North Wales, an honour last presented by his grandfather, King George VI, in 1939. Marine Stephens, who had overcome a serious injury that delayed his progress, described the experience as life-defining. “This moment will stay with me forever,” he said, as quoted in the update, reflecting on the rarity of receiving the badge from a reigning monarch.
Another recruit, Marine Ryan from Merseyside, received the Commando Medal for exemplifying the core values of the Royal Marines throughout his training. Despite a challenging shoulder injury, Marine Ryan completed his training with resilience and was honoured with his green beret, presented by the King himself. “Being presented my green beret by the King is amazing – honestly the biggest honour I could ever have,” he remarked, as quoted in the update.
The King’s visit included an announcement on renaming two prestigious awards within the Corps. The Best Marine of the Year will now be known as the King’s Royal Marine of the Year, while the top young officer’s award will be titled The King’s Sword. This rebranding reinforces the Royal Family’s long-standing connection to the Royal Marines, with the King himself undergoing commando training at Lympstone in 1974.
Colonel Innes Catton RM, Commandant of CTCRM, called the royal visit “the crowning glory of this, the Royal Marines’ 360th anniversary year,” as quoted in the update. He noted that the King’s presence underscored the enduring bond between the monarchy and the Royal Marines, adding an element of tradition and continuity to the day’s ceremonies.
The visit also included a meeting with veterans and families, most notably 100-year-old D-Day veteran Norman Ashford. Referred to by today’s Marines as ‘grandad,’ Ashford is one of the few surviving Royal Marines who took part in the Normandy landings in 1944.
