Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:56:44-2:58:54

The Royal Marines have several plausible birthdays

The official 1664 anniversary, the later permanent corps, the 1802 royal title, and subsequent branches mark different stages of institutional formation.

Duke Of York And Albanys Maritime RegimentMilitary InstitutionsRoyal MarinesRoyal Marines ArtilleryRoyal Marines Light Infantry
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Question

When is the Royal Marines' birthday?

Short answer

Officially 28 October 1664, although the modern corps, royal title, artillery branch, and light-infantry name emerged at later dates.

Notes

The official birthday is 28 October 1664, when the Duke of York and Albany's Maritime Regiment of Foot was formed. This unit was not yet the later permanent force called the Royal Marines, whose institutional roots developed across the eighteenth century. George III granted the Royal title in 1802, Royal Marines Artillery followed in 1804, and the infantry title changed again in 1855. The anniversary is historically useful without representing a single clean moment of organizational creation.