King's Badge: The prestigious award given to the Royal Marines' best of the best

When Royal Marines complete their basic training, the very best of them is often presented with a special award which will most likely help define their career – the King's Badge.

Over the last 360 years, the Royal Marines have become one of the most feared fighting forces in the world – capable of deploying with the Royal Navy at sea and stealthily making the transition to land to conduct operations. 

To become a Royal Marine Commando, recruits must go through a testing 32-week training regime before they pass out at the Commando Training Centre in Lympstone, Devon.

• Royal Marines sharpen skills needed as guardians of UK's nuclear deterrent
• King presents Royal Marines Commando with King's Badge for first time since 1939
• Former Royal Marines chief warns of capability gap after axing of HMS Albion and Bulwark

But only the best of the best is awarded the King's Badge, with the insignia presented to the leading recruit.

Not every course is deemed to have a Royal Marine of sufficient calibre to be awarded a King's Badge, so it's a massive honour to get one. 

In November, Marine Osian Stephens was presented the award by King Charles – only the second time it has been awarded by a monarch.

The first time was in 1939 when King George VI presented the award to Marine Fredrick E Woods, with his name still seen on display boards inside the drill shed at Lympstone.

The boards list all who've received the King's Badge – beginning on 7 March 1918 with Private Ernest Shiner.

Marine Stephens told BFBS Forces News he found out the King would be present before he knew he would be awarded the King's Badge.

This, he said, made the "interview process for the badge board a lot more intense and a lot more nerve-wracking".

"Very big moment for me, massive moment for the troop as well," he said.

His Majesty the King, wearing Lovat Dress and attending for the first time as Captain General of the Royal Marines, has deep knowledge of the calibre of recruit needed to garner the King's Badge. 

In 1974, Charles endured the Tarzan Course while doing his military flying training. 

Colonel Innes Catton, Commandant, CTCRM Lympstone, said the King's visit was "a historical occasion for the Royal Marines".

"It's the first time in 85 years we've had the sovereign, as our Captain General, come and present the King's Badge, which for us is a symbol of absolute excellence for our best recruit," he said.

"We have literally written history today."

There's no shortcut to get it and all Royal Marines know a King's Badge holder is the best of the best and destined for great things.