GALLERY: UK Mariners Run Largest Ever Beating Retreat

490 military personnel and musicians have put on the largest ever Beating Retreat, over two nights, in celebration of the Duke of Edinburgh’s birthday and the Royal Marines 350th anniversary.

The Royal Marines Beating Retreat is traditionally a celebration of The Duke of Edinburgh’s birthday, as he holds the title of Captain General Royal Marines. This year was no exception and on the 4th June Her Majesty the Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh attended.

In recognition of the occasion Her Majesty allowed The Duke of Edinburgh to take the salute on the parade ground, whilst she watched the parade from the Major General’s office within the Horse Guards Arch.

The 490 personnel on parade were made up of a Royal Guard from 42 Commando Royal Marines and all five Royal Marines Massed Bands – Portsmouth, Plymouth, Collingwood, Scotland and the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines, along with their colleagues from the Royal Marines Band Service Corps of Drums and Fanfare team.

In addition there were also 45 ranks from the 2nd Marine Division Band, United States Marine Corps and 60 ranks from the Royal Netherland Marine Corps Band, marking the first time that the bands from the three nations have performed together.

Also in attendance on the 4th was the Secretary of State for Defence The Rt Hon Phillip Hammond MP, the First Sea Lord Admiral Sir George Zambellas KCB DSC ADC, Commandant General Royal Marines Major General Ed Davis CBE, and the Commandants of both the United States Marines Corps, General James Amos, and the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps, Brigadier General Richard Oppelaar.

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Press Release, June 05, 2014; Image: UK Navy