Princess Anne is set to take over Prince Harry’s role in the Royal Marines, reports claim

Princess Anne is set to make royal history by taking over Prince Harry’s military role in the Royal Marines, the Sunday Times reports.

The hard-working Princess Royal, 69, who lives at Gatcombe Park in Gloucestershire, is already associated with 65 military organisations and currently Chief Commandant for Women in the Royal Navy.

She will reportedly become the first ever female Captain General of the Royal Marines when the Duke of Sussex gives up his military commands in the spring.

According to the publication, the Queen will announce the appointment in due course. 

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle (pictured at the WellChild Awards Ceremony in London in October 2019) are currently residing in Canada with their son Archie, but the prince is expected to return to the UK next month for a farewell engagement with the Royal Marines

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced they are stepping down as senior members of the Royal Family in January.

Buckingham Palace announced that as part of the couple’s new arrangement, which involves them becoming ‘financially independent’, the prince is required to step back from his ‘official military appointments’. 

This includes Captain General of the Royal Marines – a role he was handed by the Queen in December 2017, succeeding the Duke of Edinburgh.

Harry is also the Commodore-in-Chief Small Ships and Diving in the Royal Navy, and the Honorary Air Commandant at RAF Honington in Suffolk.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced they are stepping down as senior members of the Royal Family in January. Pictured at the Westminster Abbey Field of Remembrance opening in November last year

The Sussexes are currently residing in Canada with their son Archie, but the prince is expected to return to the UK next month for a farewell engagement with the Royal Marines.

Princess Anne is also expected to attend, according to the publication.

Prince Philip, who was Captain General for 64 years, was reportedly keen for his daughter to take over the role from his grandson.

It is hoped her appointment will prove inspirational to women considering a career in the Armed Forces.

The hard-working Princess Royal, 69, is already associated with 65 military organisations and currently Chief Commandant for Women in the Royal Navy. Pictured opening the renovated Drumfork Community Centre in Helensburgh, Argyll and Bute in January

Just one female marine enrolled for the notorious commando course in 2019, out of 1,000 who expressed an interest, while all the 600 recruits for this year’s course are men.

The Princess Royal is already Royal Colonel of the 6th Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, Commodore-in-Chief of the naval force of Canada and Royal Honorary Colonel of the City of Edinburgh Universities Officers Training Corps, to name but a few.

She is also Patron of The Battle of the Atlantic Memorial project in Liverpool, the Camp Hill Veterans’ Services, aiding Canadian veterans in recognition of their services to their country, and the National Museum of The Royal Navy.

After training at Sandhurst, Prince Harry was commissioned as an officer in the Household Cavalry’s Blues and Royals in April 2006. 

The Princess Royal is already Royal Colonel of the 6th Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, Commodore-in-Chief of the naval force of Canada and Royal Honorary Colonel of the City of Edinburgh Universities Officers Training Corps, to name but a few. She attended the Six Nations clash between England and Scotland at the weekend

The loss of his military titles and appointments is likely to be particularly painful for Prince Harry as he often appeared to be at his happiest when serving in uniform. Pictured: Harry in a Spartan armoured vehicle in the Helmand province, Southern Afghanistan

During his ten years in the Army, he undertook two operational tours of Afghanistan and qualified as an Apache helicopter commander.

His second tour of Helmand, in 2012, is believed to be one of the few times in his life that the Prince truly found contentment away from the restrictions and pressures of Royal life.

Known as ‘Captain Wales’ by his comrades, he proudly told one fellow soldier: ‘I’ve got the best of both worlds. I get to do all this. I can fly helicopters. I can shine a spotlight on the work I want to do.’

It was the Army which offered Harry his first taste of life away from being a royal.

After training at Sandhurst, Harry was commissioned as an officer in the Household Cavalry’s Blues and Royals in April 2006. During his ten years in the Army, he undertook two operational tours of Afghanistan and qualified as an Apache helicopter commander

Harry’s military career ended in June 2015 but he has remained a passionate supporter of the Armed Forces and was handed a number of ceremonial military titles.

He said at the time: ‘Luckily for me, I will continue to wear the uniform and mix with fellow servicemen and women for the rest of my life, helping where I can.’ 

Harry’s determination to quit as a senior Royal had already sparked criticism from fellow veterans.

James Glancy, a former captain in the Special Boat Service, last week said that he and military colleagues would not raise a toast to the Duke if he tried to earn money from his Royal position with commercial ventures.

As the ceremonial head of the elite unit, Harry is entitled to wear the uniform and insignia equivalent to a Field Marshal. Pictured: The Queen smiled at Harry as she inspecting soldiers at their passing-out Sovereign’s Parade at Sandhurst Military Academy in 2006

There was nothing in Buckingham Palace’s announcement, however, to suggest that Prince Harry give up his private association and support for a string of military charities, including Walking With the Wounded.

Similarly, Harry could continue his involvement with the Invictus Games for injured Armed Forces personnel and veterans.

Former First Sea Lord, Lord West, expressed his regret over Harry stepping down from his military appointments.

He said: ‘The whole situation is extremely sad and I think it is unfortunate, after his splendid service in the military, that he will now no longer be involved with the military in the UK.’