Volunteer Cadet Corps cadets took centre stage on Wednesday 28 October 2026 at the official opening of the Royal Marines Experience, the new home of the Royal Marines’ story at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.
Cadets from Portsmouth Division RMVCC lined the route from Admiralty House to the new museum, and were honoured to meet HRH The Princess Royal during the visit. The opening fell on 28 October, the Royal Marines’ birthday, marking 362 years since the Corps was formed in 1664.
The £15 million Royal Marines Experience is housed in Boathouse 6, a Grade II* listed 1840s building in Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. It opened to the public on 24 October and tells the story of the Royal Marines from their formation in 1664 to the present day.
Visitors can take on hands-on Commando challenges, explore interactive galleries and see hundreds of historic objects. Among them are all ten Victoria Crosses awarded to Royal Marines. A free Remembrance Room offers a quiet space to reflect on those who gave their lives in service.
The attraction replaces the former Royal Marines Museum at Eastney, which closed in 2017.
Our cadets wear the Royal Marines cap badge and are proud to be part of the wider Royal Marines family. Being there as the Corps opened its new home meant a great deal to them.
It was also a moment of history repeating itself. VCC cadets were present at the opening of the former Royal Marines Museum at Eastney, which was opened by His late Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, then Captain General Royal Marines. Decades on, a new generation of cadets was there to see the story continue.
The VCC also has a lasting place inside the new museum. A number of photographs of cadets from Lympstone Division RMVCC feature in the Once A Marine: Always A Marine exhibition, so every visitor will see the Corps’ cadets as part of the Royal Marines story.
Major (VCC) Louis Colpitts, Deputy Commander VCC, said:
“Our cadets wear the Royal Marines cap badge with immense pride, and they are part of the wider Royal Marines family. VCC cadets stood at the opening of the original Royal Marines Museum, and today a new generation has stood at the opening of its new home. To line the route on the Corps’ birthday and meet HRH The Princess Royal was a proud moment for all of us. In our 125th anniversary year, it was a fitting reminder of what it means to Meet The Challenge.”
Our thanks go to every cadet and volunteer who gave their time to be part of the ceremony.
The Royal Marines Experience is open now at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. Find out more and plan a visit at historicdockyard.co.uk.
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