King tells Royal Marines: ‘My military training was very uncomfortable’
The King described his military training as “very uncomfortable” during a visit to the Royal Marines base at which he was put through his paces 50 years ago.
The monarch completed his helicopter pilot training at the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines in Lympstone, near Exeter, Devon, in 1974.
He returned to the base on Friday to present the prestigious King’s Badge to a trainee. The last monarch to present the badge was his grandfather, King George VI, in 1939.
The King was given a photograph of himself tackling the high ropes on a “Tarzan assault course” while he watched recruits perform the same manoeuvre.
The course is one of four gruelling commando tests that the Marines must complete to wear the green beret.
Colonel Innes Catton later revealed that as the King got out of his car to view the assault course, “he had a proper beaming smile”.
“Obviously we hoped he would feel that way, and he absolutely did. In terms of engaging with the marines, he was all over them.
“He was remembering (his own experience). He wasn’t very kind in his description about it, he said it was very uncomfortable but nonetheless enjoyed recalling it and often asked a lot of recruits about their experiences of the commando test. He was completely relaxed.”
The visit was the King’s first to the base since taking over as Captain General of the Royal Marines in 2022, a role previously held by the Duke of Sussex and the late Prince Philip.
After presenting the badge to Osian Stephens, 20, the King gave a speech in which he praised the Marines, who have faced cuts in recent years, and acknowledged their difficult training.
“As your Captain General, I can only express my pride in each and every one of you, together with my admiration for passing such a demanding course,” he said.
“We are fortunate indeed to be able to rely on you, as well as on those families here today who so loyally support you.”
Marine Stephens, from Colwyn, North Wales, was selected for the King’s Badge after completing his training despite a serious injury.
After 10 months recuperating, he resumed his training this autumn and completed his final five weeks to earn the badge.
“This moment will stay with me forever. I know the last time a King presented the King’s Badge was back in 1939, it’s quite daunting to think that I will be only the second Royal Marine to enjoy that honour,” he said.
Joseph Ryan, 20, from Merseyside, was singled out to receive his green beret from the King after epitomising the commando spirit and ethos through his conversion from civilian to Royal Marine.
As Prince of Wales, the King embarked on a career in the Royal Navy, undergoing several days of training at the Lympstone base to qualify as a helicopter pilot.
He later served alongside Royal Marines on board HMS Hermes, as part of 845 Naval Air Squadron, completing military exercises in the western Atlantic and the West Indies.
During his state visit to Kenya last November, the King reminisced about his own Royal Marines training, including the infamous “sheep dip” endurance test, as he watched Kenyan marines stage a covert beach landing in Mombasa.
