The Duke of Edinburgh, Captain General, Royal Marines, will attend the Captain General’s Parade at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday, 2 August 2017, to mark the finale of the 1664 Global Challenge in the Forecourt.

This is said to be Prince Philip’s last official engagement.

Buckingham Palace had announced that the Duke of Edinburgh will no longer undertake solo public engagements, although he may choose to accompany the Queen attending certain events from time to time.

King George VI appointed the Duke as his successor for the appointment of Captain General on 2 June 1953 – an association which has lasted 64 years.

Prince Philip will arrive in the forecourt at Buckingham Palace, take his position on the dais for the Royal Salute and the National Anthem.

The Duke will also meet representatives from the runners’ contingent, including two Royal Marines who have completed the 1664 miles.

He will also meet veterans and cadets before returning to the dais to receive the 1664 Global Challenge Baton.

The 1664 Global Challenge is raising funds and awareness for the Royal Marines Charity. This year, Royal Marines from around Britain accepted the challenge to run 16.64 miles per day for 100 days, with a total of 1,664 miles.

During the past four months, 1,500 Royal Marines and Army Commandos have participated in the 1664 Global Challenge.

The 1664 running challenge began in Plymouth on 25 April and will finish 1,664 miles and 100 days later on 2 August at Buckingham Palace.

The parade finishes with a march past, a Royal Salute and three cheers for the Captain General.

Buckingham Palace. Photo by DAVID ILIFF. License: CC-BY-SA 3.0

The Royal Marines

The Royal Marines, the British Navy’s amphibious light infantry force, is acknowledged as one of the world’s elite commando force.

On 28 October 1664, an Order-in-Council was issued calling for 1,200 soldiers to be recruited for service in the Fleet, to be known as the Duke of York and Albany’s Maritime Regiment of Foot. It became known as the Admiral’s Regiment as the Duke of York was the Lord High Admiral.

The Admiralty paid for the regiment, so it and its successors became the only long service troops in the 17th and 18th Century navy.

On 1 August 1923, the Royal Marine Artillery amalgamated with the Royal Marine Light Infantry to become the Royal Marines.

The Royal Marines have seen action during several major wars including the Seven Years’ War, the Napoleonic Wars, the Crimean War, World War I and World War II.

The Corps has been deployed in the Falklands War, the Gulf War, Iraq and Afghanistan in recent times.

The Duke of Edinburgh has carried out several engagements with the Royal Marines every year, including the following during the past year.

  • 25 March 2017 – Mountbatten Festival of Music at the Royal Albert Hall
  • 22 November 2016 – The Royal Marines Colonels Commandant lunch (London)
  • 18 November 2016 –60th Anniversary Dinner – Op MUSKETEER (Plymouth)
  • 28 October 2016 – Visit to the Royal Marines School of Music (Portsmouth)
  • 26 May 2016 – Audiences with outgoing/incoming Commandants General

Prince Philip’s overseas visits to the Royal Marines include:

  • April 1960 – 40 & 42 Commando Exercises in the Mediterranean and Malta
  • June 1968 – Presentation of Colours to 42 Commando, Singapore
  • February 1980 – Royal Marines on Winter Training in North Norway
  • October 1984 – 40 Commando in Cyprus
  • September 1988 – Royal Marines Exercise Teamwork ’88 in Norway
  • April 1993 – 75th anniversary of the Raid of the Mole at Zeebrugge, Belgium
  • June 2000 – Service of Dedication at Ouistreham-Riva-Bella, Normandy (as Patron of Normandy Royal Navy/Royal Marines Memorial Fund)

The Duke of Edinburgh has been Honorary President of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Association and Club (a society for past and present members) since 1948.

Since 1974, The Duke of Edinburgh has been Patron of the National Museum of the Royal Navy (was the Royal Marines Museum), in Portsmouth.

The Duke of Edinburgh, accompanied the Queen to the State Opening of Parliament in 2014, wearing the full ceremonial uniform as Captain General Royal Marines, to mark the Royal Marines 350th Anniversary.

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh also attended the Royal Marines 350th anniversary Beat Retreat.

A Band of the Royal Marines played at the DofE Gold Awards Presentation at the Palace of Holyroodhouse (which is said to be Prince Philip’s last Gold Awards) on Thursday, 6 July 2017.

Prince Philip’s Official Engagements – A Summary

The Duke of Edinburgh has carried out numerous official engagements from 1952 to 2 August 2017.

  • Solo engagements – 22,219
  • Solo overseas visits – 637
    • 67 Commonwealth countries – 229
    • 76 other countries – 408
  • Speeches given – 5,496
  • Total number of patronages – 785 organisations
  • Presentation of colours – 54
  • Service appointments – 32
  • Books authored – 14

Prince Philip became the longest-serving consort in the British monarchy’s history in 2009 and, at 96, is the oldest male member of the Royal Family.

Queen Elizabeth II presents Prince Philip with the Knight of the Order of Australia’s insignia, with High Commissioner, Alexander Downer present, on 22 April 2015.

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