King Charles presents New Colours to Royal Marines at Windsor Castle
King Charles also paid tribute to victims of a Royal Navy helicopter crash during the Windsor ceremony
King Charles III has presented New Colours to Commando Royal Marines at Windsor Castle, Buckingham Palace has confirmed in an official statement.
Acting in his capacity as Captain General of the Royal Marines, the King presented New Colours to 40, 42, 43, and 45 Commando Royal Marines during the ceremony.
A landmark moment in Royal Marines history
The Palace's statement underscored the historic significance of the occasion. "For the first time in history, The Sovereign, as Captain General of the Royal Marines, has presented New Colours at Windsor Castle. It is also the first time that four Commando units have received new Colours concurrently, making this an historically significant ceremony," it read.
The statement went on to describe the deeper meaning behind the Colours themselves. "Colours are ceremonial flags that traditionally served as rallying points in battle. Today they continue to be powerful symbols of a Unit's history, achievements and spirit. Made of silk damask, with gold thread embroidery and a fringe, they bear the names of battle honours and cyphers," it added.
Tradition and ceremonial significance
The Colours must be consecrated before they can be used in any official capacity. Although they are no longer carried into battle, they accompany Commando Units wherever those units are deployed — a tradition that underlines their enduring symbolic importance.
The King pays tribute to helicopter crash victims
During the ceremony, King Charles also took a moment to address the Royal Navy helicopter crash that occurred earlier in the week, expressing his personal grief and offering his condolences.
"I would also wish to take this opportunity to acknowledge with the greatest sadness the crash of a Royal Navy helicopter on Wednesday. As a former Junglie pilot with 845 Naval Air Squadron, I was profoundly shocked to hear this most tragic news. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the families, friends and colleagues of those involved. Their service is held in the highest regard, and they remain very much in our prayers," the King said.
