The King appeared in high spirits today as he arrived at the Royal Marines Commando Training Center at Lympstone in Devon.
Charles, 76, met Royal Marine trainees and instructors, as well as families and veterans of the Corps.
In his role as Captain General of the Royal Marines, he awarded the King’s Badge and a Green Beret to the best member of the King’s Squadron upon completion of their commando training.
His Majesty also reviewed some of the facilities where he trained as a helicopter pilot in 1974.
The Royal Marines are the amphibious troops of the Royal Navy, recognized as one of the world’s elite commando forces.
The Commando Training Centre, which is divided into three training wings, is the main training center for the Royal Marines.
On average, 1,300 recruits, 2,000 potential recruits and 400 potential officers attend training courses each year. In addition, the Training Wings teach more than 320 courses a year for approximately 2,000 students.
The King holds the title of Captain General of the Royal Marines and is the Ceremonial Chief of the Royal Marines, taking up the role in October 2022.
The King appeared in high spirits today as he arrived at the Royal Marines Commando Training Center at Lympstone in Devon.
The position was previously held by the deceased Duke of Edinburghbefore the King Grandfather of His Majesty George VI and great-grandfather king George V who, in 1918, arranged that the top training team should be known as the King’s Squadron and that the best recruit in all respects be awarded the King’s Badge.
It comes after the King celebrated his 76th birthday on Thursday by opening the first of his two new Coronation Food Centers as the Royal Family wished him a happy birthday.
The monarch headed to Deptford, south London, to formally open the first centre, tour the center with London Mayor Sadiq Khan and attend a surplus food festival.
The King appeared in a very good mood while smiling and a worker gave him a kiss. Royal superfan John Loughrey stood with a card and a bouquet of flowers for Charles, who was accompanied by Sir Kenneth Olisa, the Lord Lieutenant of Greater London.
Pupils from Rye Oak Primary School in nearby Peckham led the singing of happy birthday to Charles, and six-year-old Zariah presented the monarch with a card.
Project chair Dame Martina Milburn, Baroness Louise Casey and other representatives of the charities involved also met with Charles. Volunteers from the Felix Project, which will run the Deptford centre, waved flags and applauded as the King arrived.
Thursday is the first anniversary of the launch of its Coronation Food Project, which aims to close the gap between food need and food waste amid the cost of living crisis.
Her Majesty also reviewed some of the facilities where she trained as a helicopter pilot in 1974 (pictured)
King Charles III, then Prince of Wales, during “familiarization” training in 1974 at the Royal Marines Commando Training Centre.
King Charles salutes during a visit to the Royal Marines Commando Training Center
King Charles III, as Captain General of the Royal Marines, awards sailor Osian Stephens the King’s Badge
The King awards Marine Joseph Ryan the Commando Medal during a visit to the Royal Marines Commando Training Center
King Charles III, then Prince of Wales, in his flight suit, landed his Wessex V helicopter on the parade ground of the Royal Marines Commando Training Centre.
King Charles III (fourth right), then Prince of Wales, during ‘familiarization’ training in 1974 at the Royal Marines Commando Training Centre.
The king’s engagement was a solo one: to Queen Camilla, who was hoping to join him, still recovering from a nasty chest infection. It later virtually opened a second center in Knowsley, Merseyside, with three more centers due to open over the next year.
Earlier in the day, the monarchy’s social media accounts posted a birthday message with a formal portrait of Charles in the White Drawing Room at Buckingham Palace.
Prince William and Kate’s account shared an image of the relaxed-looking monarch wearing sunglasses and a garland during his royal tour to Samoa last month.
The photograph was taken while opening The King’s Garden at a museum in Apia, and the message read: “We wish His Majesty the King a very happy birthday!”
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer also tweeted a message saying: “Sending His Majesty the King my best wishes on his birthday today.” Congratulations.’