The King celebrated his 76th birthday before visiting his old stomping ground in Devon the very next day(Image: (Image: Buckingham Palace))

King Charles' 76th birthday marked with special photo as he visits old Devon stomping ground

by · DevonLive

Buckingham Palace has celebrated King Charles' 76th birthday, which took place on Thursday, November 14, with a touch of regal flair. To mark the occasion, an official photograph was released, featuring the King clad in an elegant Royal blue suit paired with a tastefully patterned tie.

The image, believed to have been captured in the grandeur of the throne room, was shared across the Palace's social media channels accompanied by the message, "Wishing His Majesty The King a very Happy Birthday today."

Following his birthday celebrations, the King engaged with Royal Marine trainees and instructors, as well as Corps families and veterans, during his visit to present the prestigious King's Badge and a Green Beret to the top-performing member of the King's Squad upon their completion of Commando Training.

READ MORE: Live updates as King Charles due to visit Royal Marines camp in Devon

As the Captain General Royal Marines, King Charles made a special trip to the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines (CTCRM) at Lympstone in Devon, where he had previously undergone commando training with the Royal Marines back in 1974 while serving with 845 Naval Air Squadron.

Back in 1974, whilst serving with 845 Naval Air Squadron, His Majesty undertook commando training with the Royal Marines at CTCRM.(Image: Royal Family)

The King, bearing the title Captain General Royal Marines and serving as the Ceremonial Head of the Royal Marines since October 2022, upheld a historical tradition. This position was formerly held by his late grandfather, the Duke of Edinburgh, as well as His Majesty's Great Grandfather and Great Great Grandfather, King George V, who in 1918 initiated the honour of calling the senior training squad the King' Squad and bestowing the exceptional all-round recruit with the King's Badge.

During a visit to the commando training centre, His Majesty awarded the King's Badge for the first time since King George VI did so back in 1939, also presenting a Green Beret to the top recruit of the King's Squad upon finishing their commando training, reports the Mirror.

King Charles visited Devon the day after his 76th birthday(Image: (Image: Buckingham Palace))

The King addressed the troops expressing: "As history has demonstrated, the Royal Marines have continued to remain at the very heart of our Nation's defence, standing steadfast at the vanguard of change. Today marks not just the end of your rigorous Commando training, with which I am all too familiar! – culminating in the presentation of your Green Berets, but also the beginning of your service in one of the most formidable and revered forces in the world."