Royal Marines

History made as four Royal Marines units receive new Colours from the King

Mike Morton

5th June 2026 at 2:57pm

First Sea Lord and Commandant General Royal Marines, General Sir Gwyn Jenkins, heads to the quadrangle, the ceremonial courtyard at Windsor Castle (Picture: MOD)

Colours continue to be powerful symbols of a unit’s history, achievements and spirit - something the King was keen to point out to the assembled personnel (Picture: MOD) — Colours continue to be powerful symbols of a unit's history, achievements and spirit – something the King was keen to point out to the assembled personnel (Picture: MOD)

Royal Marines slope arms with their assault rifles - the Corps operates the Knight's Armament KS-1 alongside the SIG Sauer MCX (Picture: MOD)

In the quarter-century that passed since they were last presented with new Colours, the Royal Marines have continued to answer the call of duty with characteristic courage, the King told those assembled (Picture: MOD)

Colours are ceremonial flags which traditionally served as rallying points in battle - to lose them to the enemy was regarded as the ultimate shame any unit could suffer (Picture: BFBS) — Colours are ceremonial flags which traditionally served as rallying points in battle – to lose them to the enemy was regarded as the ultimate shame any unit could suffer (Picture: BFBS)

The Colours were blessed by the Chaplain of the Fleet, The Reverend Doctor Mark Davidson, assisted by chaplains from the four Commando units present at the ceremony (Picture: MOD)

Yeoman Warders are on duty not just at the Tower of London, but at Windsor Castle too - as witnessed by this senior NCO, pace stick at the ready (Picture: MOD) — Yeoman Warders are on duty not just at the Tower of London, but at Windsor Castle too – as witnessed by this senior NCO, pace stick at the ready (Picture: MOD)

The Massed Bands of His Majesty's Royal Marines struck up the British Grenadiers after the Colours were marched back to the formed-up units (Picture: MOD)

King Charles has delivered an historic first for the Royal Marines, presenting four Commando units with their new Colours in a joint ceremony.

The sacred flags bearing the King's Royal Cypher and touched by his hand were entrusted to 40, 42, 43 and 45 Commando at the historic event at Windsor Castle.

The King's Colours and Regimental Colours replace those presented by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip during his 64-year spell as Captain General, a role King Charles now holds.

A senior NCO looks on as the new Colours are draped over the drum stacks of each of the four units - 40, 42, 43 and 45 Commando (Picture: BFBS) — A senior NCO looks on as the new Colours are draped over the drum stacks of each of the four units – 40, 42, 43 and 45 Commando (Picture: BFBS)

United by the past, focused on the future

"This is a moment of real historical significance for the Royal Marines," said General Sir Gwyn Jenkins, the First Sea Lord and Commandant General Royal Marines.

"It is a powerful reminder of the enduring bond between the Corps, the Sovereign and the country we serve.

"These Colours represent more than tradition; they carry the operational history, sacrifice and spirit of the Royal Marines, from our origins in 1664 through to the modern Commando Force.

"While much has changed since the last presentation in 2001, including the transformation into today's United Kingdom Commando Force, our role at the forefront of national security remains undiminished.

"This ceremony showcases a corps united by its past and focused firmly on the future."

Personnel from 40, 42, 43 and 45 Commando were joined by The Massed Bands of His Majesty's Royal Marines (Picture: BFBS)

Flags become Colours

The parade formed up at Victoria Barracks before marching through Windsor to the castle through the George IV Gate.

Under the Old Colours, 74 Royal Marines died on operations in Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan.

The standards were given an appropriate send-off as they were marched off for the last time before the King, accompanied by Gen Sir Gwyn, arrived in The Quadrangle, the ceremonial courtyard that serves as a focal point for royal pageantry at Windsor Castle.

Following a Royal Salute and the National Anthem, Parade Commander Brigadier Jaimie Norman marched forward to report to His Majesty.

He invited King Charles to review the Royal Marines before the new Colours were blessed by the Chaplain of the Fleet, The Reverend Doctor Mark Davidson, assisted by chaplains from the four Commando units present at the ceremony.

The consecration of the new Colours, which were draped over a stack of regimental drums, marks their transition from flags to the status of Colours.

The drum stack mirrors a tradition in which soldiers would create a sacred space on the battlefield or at their base to hold a service to pray for protection and courage before battle.

The Colours were then presented by the King, who saluted each one, before returning to the dais to address the parade.

Honour and service

The King gave an address in which he praised the members of the corps, past and present, for their professionalism and service.

"For generations, the Royal Marines have been ready to deploy wherever duty requires, often at short notice, in unfamiliar places and in some of the most challenging and inhospitable environments on the planet," he said.

"Whether in the heat, the cold – or something persistently wet in between – you have consistently demonstrated that there are no environments in which a Royal Marine cannot operate, and win."

He added: "These Colours carry with them the memory of those who have gone before you, of those 74 gallant Royal Marines who have given their lives on active service since the last presentation of Colours in 2001, and the responsibility you bear to those who will follow.

"They are not only symbols of honour and service, but also a reminder of the extraordinary legacy of which you are a part."