The King has returned to the Royal Marines training base where he completed his helicopter pilot training 50 years ago.
Charles arrived at the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines in Lympstone, near Exeter, Devon, on Friday to meet successful recruits and present special honours.
He attended the training centre 50 years ago, completing three days commando training there as part of his pilot training in 1974.
He was presented with a picture of himself tackling the high ropes at the training centre, while he watched recruits perform the same manoeuvre.
It was the first time a king has presented the badge since his grandfather, King George VI, in 1939.
It is given to the recruit deemed the most impressive of those passing through training.
He also met 100-year-old D-Day veteran Norman Ashford, a coxswain on a landing craft who did numerous runs up Gold Beach.
Mr Ashford said: “It was a great honour to meet the King, I haven’t met royalty before and I just turned 100 on the 10th.
“It was a great pleasure to be back at the Commando Training Centre.”
Addressing the recruits, he said: “As your Captain General, I can only express my pride in each and every one of you, together with my admiration for passing such a demanding course.
“We are fortunate indeed to be able to rely on you, as well as on those families here today who so loyally support you.”
Marine Stephens, 20, was selected for the King’s Badge after completing his training despite previously picking up a serious injury.
After ten months recuperating, he resumed his training this autumn and completed his final five weeks to earn the badge.
“This moment will stay with me forever. I know the last time a King presented the King’s Badge was back in 1939, it’s quite daunting to think that I will be only the second Royal Marine to enjoy that honour,” he said.
“But with determination I took the knock, got back up again and got myself back to where I wanted to be.”
Marine Ryan triumphed after sustaining a lengthy shoulder injury late in training and spent five months recuperating and rehabilitating.
Marine Ryan, 20, received the Commando Medal for epitomising the commando spirit and ethos through his conversion from civilian to Royal Marine.
To acknowledge that achievement, he was singled out to receive his green beret, the Commandos’ headgear, from the King.
“Being presented my green beret by the King is amazing, honestly the biggest honour I could ever have.
“I’m very aware that no-one in the Royal Marines has had their beret presented by the monarch, I’m so proud. It is a great honour,” said Marine Ryan.
“The lads in the troop have been brilliant, a really great bunch of guys, we’ve been through so much in the past few weeks together.”
