The Corps of Royal Military Police (CRMP) has commemorated its centenary and 80th anniversary since being awarded the Royal Prefix at a special event held at their Regimental Headquarters in Hampshire.
Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Gloucester KG GCVO shaking hands with Provost Marshal Brigadier Sarah Pringle Smith.
Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Gloucester KG GCVO sat in the front row of a group photo with senior officers of the Royal Military Police.
The last surviving member of the Corps of Military Police (India) Owen Filer, aged 106 shaking hands with a serving member of the Royal Military Police.
Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Gloucester KG GCVO meeting service personnel dressed in historical RMP uniform.
(Left - Right) WO1 James Radcliffe, Colonel Stuart Allen, Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Gloucester, Lieutenant General Mathew Jones and Brigadier Sarah Pringle Smith (Provost Marshal) standing infant of a portrait of Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Gloucester.
The royal prefix is one of the most prestigious, and greatest honours that can be bestowed on a military organisation. It represents pride, professionalism, and our service, but is also a reminder for us that the standards that we uphold today were built on the foundations of those that have gone before us.
In her role as Colonel-in-Chief of the Adjutant General’s Corps, Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Gloucester KG GCVO attended the event at Southwick Park, near Fareham, which brought together the wider RMP community with current serving personnel and veterans coming together to mark these two historic milestones.
Brigadier Sarah Pringle-Smith, Provost Marshal said:
“The royal prefix is one of the most prestigious, and greatest honours that can be bestowed on a military organisation.
It represents pride, professionalism, and our service, but is also a reminder for us that the standards that we uphold today were built on the foundations of those that have gone before us.”
Serving the world
Over the decades, the Royal Military Police have served in Korea, Malaysia, Northern Ireland, the Falklands, the Gulf, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Their work goes far beyond policing — they handle detainees, secure routes, provide personal protection, and support commanders on the front line.
The Duchess’ visit was great. We’re a small corps and don’t often get opportunities like this. It’s great she’s here and shows we’re thought about at a higher level.
In 1992, the Corps of Royal Military Police became part of the Provost Branch within the newly formed Adjutant General’s Corps
Royal visit lifts spirits
Her Royal Highness was given a snapshot of RMP history with a tour through a specially constructed time tunnel which demonstrated the role of the RMP throughout the past century.
Later, the Duchess of Gloucester unveiled a portrait of herself inside historical Southwick House, the site from which D-Day was launched.
As Brigadier Pringle-Smith nears the end of her tenure as Provost Marshal she added:
“To have her Royal Highness here is a recognition of the service and commitment of generations of Royal Military Police personnel.
Very few people get to lead their organisations through such a proud moment in history, and today belongs to the those that have served before us, those serving today and those who will serve beyond our time and who will carry the Royal Military Police into the future.”
Among the special guests invited was 106-year-old Owen Filer. The veteran from Cwmbran is the last surviving member of the Corps of Military Police (India) who joined the RMP during the Second World War. He said:
“It’s wonderful. I’ve never been to a gathering like this and it’s nice to see the boys. I’m incredibly proud of my service.”
As part of the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps, our modernisation means embracing new technology, supporting NATO commitment, maintaining world class policing and investigative abilities but ensuring that we remain ready to support the Army wherever it is called to serve.
To end the day, veterans and their families were treated to a special high tea in the grounds of Southwick House and were presented with commemorative coins as a keepsake and thank you.
Reflecting on the special day and royal visit, Corporal Holly Ballard who serves with 160 Provost Company said:
The Duchess’ visit was great. We’re a small corps and don’t often get opportunities like this. It’s great she’s here and shows we’re thought about at a higher level.”
As the CRMP enters its second century of service, Brigadier Pringle-Smith looked to the future:
“As part of the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps, our modernisation means embracing new technology, supporting NATO commitment, maintaining world class policing and investigative abilities but ensuring that we remain ready to support the Army wherever it is called to serve.”