Prince Harry Appointed Captain General Royal Marines

On 19/12/2017, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, was officially appointed Captain General Royal Marines, succeeding his grandfather, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, who had held the position for more than 64 years. The appointment was approved by Queen Elizabeth II and marked a transition of one of the most prominent ceremonial roles within the Royal Marines. The handover was symbolically marked at Buckingham Palace, where Prince Harry accompanied Prince Philip during his final official engagement in the role. The event included a meeting with the outgoing and incoming Commandants General of the Royal Marines, reflecting continuity in leadership and ceremonial representation. The position of Captain General Royal Marines is an honorary appointment, traditionally held by a senior member of the Royal Family. In this role, Prince Harry was entitled to wear the uniform and insignia corresponding to the rank of Field Marshal during ceremonial occasions. His appointment followed a 10-year career in the British Army, during which he served in the Blues and Royals regiment and later as an Apache helicopter pilot with the Army Air Corps, including two tours of duty in Afghanistan. The role connected Prince Harry’s military background with ongoing ceremonial responsibilities within the Armed Forces, particularly in representing the Royal Marines at official events and engagements. Why This Moment Matters: The appointment transferred a long-held ceremonial military role from Prince Philip to Prince Harry, linking two generations of royal involvement with the Royal Marines.