For the British royal family, 2017 has been a year of broken records and milestones reached.

Prince Harry’s engagement to U.S. actress and humanitarian Meghan Markle went public.

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Catherine, The Duchess of Cambridge, became pregnant with her third child with husband Prince William.

The Queen and Prince Philip celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary.

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Prince Philip’s retirement was also announced back in June. His last public engagement was in August when he attended a parade at Buckingham Palace. He took a salute from a group of fundraising royal Marines.

Philip had served as captain of the Royal Marines from June 2, 1953, after his wife’s coronation. King George V and King George VI had previously held this ceremonial position as head of the Marines.

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On Tuesday, with the Queen’s formal consent, Philip passed this responsibility to Prince Harry. Buckingham Palace released an official statement from the Queen which said she “has been pleased to give her formal approval to the appointment of His Royal Highness Prince Henry of Wales as Captain General Royal Marines.”

To commemorate this event, Prince Harry and his grandfather posed for a photograph with Major General Rob Magowan, the outgoing Commandant General Royal Marines, and the incoming Commandant General Royal Marines, Major General Charles Stickland. In the photo, all four men wore the regimental tie of the Royal Marines.


It’s speculated Prince Harry will wear the tie and insignia of a field marshal at his May wedding. Since Prince Harry left the military in 2015, he wouldn’t need to wear a military uniform for the ceremony.

The prince served in the Army from 2005-2015. He founded the Invictus Games, a Paralympic sporting event for wounded service members and veterans, in 2014, and they have grown to global success.

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It has been quite the year for the royals, but they have much to look forward to in 2018. In April, Catherine will give birth to her third child. Just a month and a half later, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will be married at St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle.

We are happily anticipating the big events along with them!

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