A former kitchen assistant has been awarded the prestigious King's Badge.
Osian Stephens received the award during his Royal Marines passing out parade after completing the 32-week Commando training.
The badge is given to the best all-round member of the King's Squad.
The 20-year-old previously worked as a kitchen assistant at Merton Place Nursing Home in Colwyn Bay.
Residents at the nursing home celebrated his achievement in his new Royal Marine career.
His mother, Ruth Stephens, who also works at Merton Place, was present at the parade.
She was pleasantly surprised to see her son being honoured with the King's Badge by King Charles himself.
Mrs Stephens said: "It was amazing.
"The king spoke to Osian for such a long time; we are bursting with pride.
"The badge carries a huge amount of kudos and is given to the recruit who excels at all the disciplines."
Attended by the King as ceremonial head and Captain General of the Royal Marines, the ceremony took place at the Commando Training Centre in Lympstone, Devon.
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Mr Stephens said: "I found out the King was coming before I knew if I was getting the King's Badge, so that made the interview process for the badge board a lot more intense and nerve-wracking.
"It was a very big moment for me.
"A massive moment for the troop as well."
This was the first time in 85 years that the sovereign has presented the King's Badge, marking the start of a promising military career for Marine Stephens.
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