King Charles is taking on an additional role which has been vacant since Prince Harry stepped back from royal duties in 2020. On October 28, 2022, Charles announced that he will fill the ceremonial role of Captain General of the Royal Marines, which Harry once did.
When Harry and Megan Markle stepped back from royal duties, they left their posts and gave up their involvement with numerous British charities. By default, all of the patronages reverted back to Queen Elizabeth. Many of these are now being filled by other members of the royal family. Kate Middleton assumed the role of patron of the Rugby Football Union and Rugby Football League.
Harry served for 10 years in the British Army. He was deployed to Afghanistan two times. When he stepped back from senior royal life, he lost the honorary military titles of Captain General of the Royal Marines, Honorary Air Commandant of RAF Honington and Commodore-in-Chief, Small Ships and Diving, Royal Naval Command.
When Queen Elizabeth died, Harry was not allowed to wear his military uniform to her funeral. An exception was made for the grandchildrens' vigil. Prince Andrew was also not allowed to wear a military uniform.
The palace commented on this controversial decision. It asked that the focus be on mourning the Queen. "His decade of military service is not determined by the uniform he wears, and we respectfully ask that focus remains on the life and legacy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II,” the royals stated.
Before Harry held this role, Prince Phillip served in it for 64 years. Harry took over in 2017. The role is typically held by the reigning monarch such as King George VI and King George V. It is a natural choice for Charles to fill it.
"I am exceptionally proud to follow in the footsteps of so many members of my family over the last three and a half centuries, all of whom held the role with a deep sense of admiration,” Charles said in a statement. "The Royal Marines have a distinguished and unparalleled history, both on land and at sea.”
Charles goes on to say: “I draw immense inspiration from your courage, determination, self-discipline and a remarkable capacity to endure in the most extreme environments. I feel greatly honored to become part of the Corps Family and very much look forward to meeting many of you in the near future.”
Charles also recognizes a special landmark for the Royal Marines. “In the meantime, this comes with my heartfelt and special wishes for a very happy 358th birthday,” he states. He signs off with their Latin motto "Per Mare, Per Terram," which translates to "By Sea, By Land."
According to the Daily Mail, Harry was informed of the decision before the public announcement was made. Although the palace and Harry showed a united front during Queen Elizabeth’s funeral, tensions are still high. Things might become even more tense after Harry’s memoir, Spare, is released in January 2023.
Penguin Random House offers a first look of the memoir on its website. “It offers an honest and captivating personal portrait, one that shows readers that behind everything they think they know about the Prince lies a story that is variably inspiring, courageous, and eye-opening," the publishing house states. Time will tell how the palace feels about this situation.
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