King Charles celebrated his 76th birthday on Thursday, November 14, and Buckingham Palace paid tribute to the occasion. Dressed in a sharp Royal blue suit complemented by an elegant patterned tie, His Majesty posed for an official photograph which was released by the Royal household along with heartfelt birthday wishes.
The image, believed to be taken in the regal setting of the throne room, was shared across the Palace’s social media channels with the message, “Wishing His Majesty The King a very Happy Birthday today.”
Following his birthday celebrations, the King dedicated time the next day to engage with Royal Marine trainees, instructors, families, and veterans while presenting the King’s Badge and a Green Beret to the top performing individual of the King’s Squad upon their completion of Commando Training. Fulfilling his role as Captain General Royal Marines, King Charles visited the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines (CTCRM) at Lympstone in Devon where he had a chance to interact closely with members of the Corps.
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This visit echoed a personal historical note as His Majesty had himself undergone commando training with the Royal Marines at CTCRM during his time with the 845 Naval Air Squadron back in 1974.
The King, who holds the title Captain General Royal Marines and serves as the Ceremonial Head of the Royal Marines since October 2022, visited the centre to present the prestigious King’s Badge. This marks the first time a monarch has presented the badge since King George VI in 1939, reports the Mirror.
His Majesty also awarded a Green Beret to the top-performing member of the King’s Squad upon completing their Commando Training.
Addressing the troops, The King stated: “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. Today marks not just the end of your rigorous Commando training, with which I am all too familiar! – culminating in the presentation of your Green Berets, but also the beginning of your service in one of the most formidable and revered forces in the world.”