Royal Marines wear the Tudor Crown

The badge of the Royal Marines is designed to commemorate the history of the Corps. The Lion and Crown denotes a Royal regiment. King George III conferred this honour in 1802 "in consideration of the very meritorious services of the Marines in the late war". The "Great Globe", itself surrounded by laurels, was chosen by King George IV as a symbol of the Marines' successes in every quarter of the world. The laurels are believed to honour the gallantry they displayed during the investment and capture of Belle Isle, off Lorient, in April–June 1761.

Royal Marines wore His Majesty The King’s cypher on their uniforms for the first time at the coronation parade in May.

Warrant Officers and Officers on parade during the historic event will bear the Tudor Crown, which appears on The King’s cypher, on their caps.

Royal Marines will wear a newly-designed Brunswick Star on their pith helmets during the procession, incorporating the Tudor Crown.

“This will already be a proud moment for our sailors and Royal Marines Commandos, and it is made even more memorable with the addition of the cypher,” said Warrant Officer First Class Eddie Wearing, the Royal Navy's State Ceremonial Training Officer.

The Royal cypher is a monogram-style design used by the reigning monarch. The King’s cypher features the letter ‘C’ intertwined with the letter ‘R’ for Rex (Latin for King), with ‘III’ within the ‘R’ and the Tudor Crown sitting above.

The King’s cypher will appear on cap badges and other adornments to Royal Navy and Royal Marines uniforms, as well as on those of British Army and RAF personnel taking part in the coronation.

Royal Marines wearing Pith Helmets with the new Brunswick Star Cypher aboard a train en-route to the Coronation of King Charles III

The College of Arms, which designed the cyphers, was founded in 1484 and is responsible for creating and maintaining official registers of coats of arms and pedigrees. The heralds who make up the College are members of the Royal Household, and act under Crown authority. [1]

The Tudor Crown of of King Charles III atop the Brunswick Star Cypher

The British Drum Company produced 50 new drums featuring the new King's cypher and the addition of the Tudor Crown to the Royal Coat of Arms for Royal Marines.

We caught up with Stu Warmington, Marching Division Manager said: "All our marching drums are handmade in our factory in Stockport where our attention to detail is unrivalled. We make sure only the best products leave the building, proving that British manufacturing is still some of the best in the world."

They created three different types of drums for the Coronation; 38 snare drums, 6 bass drums, and 6 tenor drums which took a total of three weeks to build. As for the details of the drums,

Stu continued: "The snare drums were used by the Corps of Drums who you will have seen leading any Royal Marines Band, these drums have twin parallel snares on the top and bottom head to make sure the drummers get that crisp sound they’re after which also allows for perfect projection which carries their sound over the top of the other instruments within the band.

"Then there was the big bass drums used to keep the band going at the correct tempo. The tenor drums are used for show and the musicians who play them use special tenor drumsticks that have a string on them so they can twirl them in a movement called, 'flourishing'

Stu tells us, "we are incredibly proud of everyone at BDC HQ. It is a big moment to see the drums being used on this auspicious occasion."

[1] Royal Navy - His Majesty the King’s cypher to be worn during coronation parade

[2] Made in Britain - British Drum Company's Coronation involvement