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The Kents

Prince Michael of Kent visits Plymouth Royal Marines in the Californian desert

Royal Marines from Plymouth received a special royal visitor while on exercise in the Californian Desert, in the form of Prince Michael of Kent. The Marines of 42 Commando were on Exercise Black Alligator when the prince visited to witness first hand the challenging training they have to undertake.

Prince Michael of Kent on a previous engagement.

Prince Michael of Kent on a previous engagement.

Prince Michael was given a tour of Camp Wilson, where the Marines are based while on exercise, and was also given the chance to try his hand at some of the equipment used by the Marines, including weapon handling and driving vehicles through the desert terrain.

His Royal Highness spoke of how proud he is of the Bickleigh-Barracks based Commandos, “This was an excellent opportunity for me to see the quality of the training undertaken by Royal Marine Reservists in some of the harshest mountain conditions on earth, and to understand the physical and mental demands placed upon them.” Prince Michael is Commodore-in-Chief of the combined Maritime Reserves.

42 Commando Royal Marines are one of three elite battalion-sized units that make up the global punch of 3 Commando Brigade. During Cougar 14 they deployed to the Mediterranean which saw them working with partner nations on a series of demanding exercises.

Exercise Black Alligator is an annual exercise held at the Twentynine Palms Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Centre where the Royal Marines train alongside their American and Dutch counterparts.

Back in the UK, Prince Michaels wife, Princess Michael of Kent, recently caused a stir by claiming that animals do not have any rights because they cannot pay taxes. Princess Michael, who often causes controversy with her comments, said that humans have an ‘obligation’ towards animals but they do not have any rights, like many believe today.

Prince Michael of Kent is a cousin of Her Majesty The Queen and often carries out official engagements on her behalf.

Photo Credit: “Michael of Kent1” by Paul Reynolds from UK – IMG_8784_081111_40D. Licenced under CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons.