New Look for the Royal Marines Band Service

The world-famous Royal Marines Band Service is taking on a new look, reverting to a uniform they last wore 50 years ago.

For the first time since the mid-1960s the musicians will wear full-length dark blue greatcoats for certain outdoor performances, replacing dark blue capes.

The Royal Marines’ Portsmouth Band will be first to parade the new look at the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph in London on November 9. Lieutenant Daryl Powell, the band’s Director of Music, said: “The capes weren’t that easy to play in as they restricted the movement of the arms – particularly for our buglers who double up as drummers.

“We are all pleased with the change – the greatcoats are more comfortable when playing, and they look very smart too.”

Musician Rachel Wright, the band’s solo clarinet player who has worn capes on numerous occasions during her 22 years’ service, said: “The capes were cumbersome and quite heavy but the greatcoats are far more comfortable. We are all very pleased with the change,” she said.

The 45-strong band – including a Corps of Drums - will wear the greatcoats every year at the London Remembrance Sunday parade and other outdoor winter performances when deemed appropriate. The uniform will be rolled out to the other four bands in the RM Band Service over the coming months.