Harry's back in uniform! Prince arrives at the Royal Marines base in Devon for a day of training - while Meghan celebrates her baby shower in New York

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Pregnant Meghan has been keeping a low profile during her trip to New York this week, and Harry's engagement saw him in camouflage today.   

The Duke of Sussex handed out coveted green berets to newly-qualified Royal Marines as they completed their final gruelling test.

Harry, who assumed the role of Captain General Royal Marines from the Duke of Edinburgh in December 2017, visited the base of 42 Commando in Bickleigh, Devon, on Wednesday.

He was driven to nearby Dartmoor, where he saluted and clapped as two recruit troops finished their final Commando Test.

The Duke of Sussex has arrived at the base of 42 Commando Royal Marines in Devon for a visit

The newly-qualified Marines jogged past Harry on the final stretch of their 30-mile march, carrying loads of 45lbs plus their rifles.

Harry presented the Marines with their green berets, which symbolically mark the end of commando training, before posing for a photograph with the group.

He told them: 'This is an enormous privilege for yourselves to get the green beret.

'I am fully aware how lucky I am to be wearing the green beret without doing what you've done.

'For some of you, this is merely the beginning of a very, very long, very wonderful, hopefully, career of opportunities which you would never get anywhere else.

'Enjoy drill tomorrow but also remember that there are other people that haven't managed to make it this far.

Harry saluted recruits finishing the test and presented their coveted Green Berets to them - symbolically marking the completion of their commando training

The royal received a gift of a rugby shirt and a picture from former Marine Yorkie Malone, during his visit today

Harry ditched his usual royal ride today, arriving in a standard silver car at Bickleigh 

He posed with other members of the marines for a group photo with the flag towards the end of his visit 

Prince Harry, who assumed the role of Captain General Royal Marines from the Duke of Edinburgh in December 2017, is at the base in Bickleigh

'No doubt you will have an opportunity to encourage them. Genuinely, huge congratulations.'

Proud parents and family members were waiting at the finish line, along with former Royal Marines and supporters.

One was 96-year-old Knocker White, a former Second World War Marine who often completes the final three miles of the march with recruits.

Former Royal Marine Gareth Evans, 60, watched as his 25-year-old son Huw was handed his green beret by Harry.

Mr Evans, who retired as a sergeant in 1992, said: 'I couldn't be prouder.

'It has been a long wait but we knew he would get there and he has.'

Marine Evans, from Crediton, Devon, had spent the past two years, two weeks, three days and eight hours training for that moment.

Wearing his green beret for the first time, he said: 'It is a long, long time. I am quite emotional.

'It was a really great feeling.'

When asked about the march, he said: 'You just get through it, you know what's waiting for you at the end.'

He said the troop felt 'lucky' to have been handed their berets by Harry.

A marine beamed as Harry carried out the Green Beret presentation on Wednesday 

Harry travelled to Dartmoor to take part on a Commando Test, a 30-mile march, which starts at the north end of Dartmoor and finishes near Plymouth.

The prince appeared to be in good spirits as she chatted to members of the commandos on Wednesday 

Marine Kieran Castle, 21, from Plymouth, Devon, described the moment he was handed his beret by the prince as 'an amazing experience'.

'It is quite hard to put into words how I'm feeling right now, it hasn't quite sunk in yet,' he said.

'We told him we were exhausted. He said congratulations for our efforts.'

Major General Charlie Stickland, Commandant General Royal Marines, said the visit was 'fantastic'.

'A big part of a young man or woman joining the Royal Marines is about finishing the course and winning their green beret,' Maj Gen Stickland told the Press Association.

'It is the culmination of blood, sweat and tears to get to that point.

'For the Captain General to hand them their beret is unbelievably special.'

The Duke could be seen climbing on board a boat at Bickleigh today to learn more about how it is used 

Harry looked right at home on board the boat as he learned more about the vessel 

Maj Gen Stickland said 42 Commando had undergone a 'reorientation' and was continue to evolve in terms of the specialist capabilities it provides.

These include joint personnel rescues, which Harry watched a demonstration of after arriving at the base.

Nine Marines carried out a fast rope, where they disembarked from a Merlin helicopter on black ropes.

Supported by Marines keeping watch in a Wildcat helicopter overhead, they reached a stricken F35 pilot a short distance away.

The royal was also showcased a range of equipment used by the marines during his visit 

During his visit he learnt about the specialist teams within 42 Commando while in Devon and watch a Joint Personnel Recovery (JPR) demonstration

A number of blank rounds were fired after the group came under attack from a number of insurgents.

The Marines and pilot safely boarded the Merlin helicopter, which then departed the area.

Maj Gen Stickland said other capabilities included the complex training of partners, such as special forces, as well as assisting Royal Navy colleagues to board vessels at sea.

Harry's visit demonstrated 'the unparalleled utility of commandos', he added.

The prince climbed into a Pacific 24 rigid inflatable boat after being invited up by Marines.

He met a number of Marines in a series of tents erected at the base, showcasing the unique capabilities of 42 Commando.

Royal Marines disembarked from a Merlin helicopter (seen) and simulating the rescue of an F35 pilot from the new HMS Queen Elizabeth Aircraft Carrier

Marine Adam Smith was part of a group of snipers who spoke to Harry about their role.

'It was great to meet him and show him what we are capable of doing,' he said. 

Meanwhile the Duchess of Sussex is preparing to celebrate her baby shower with close friends in New York city.

Serena Williams and Amal Clooney are reported to be hosting the event in America's most expensive hotel room - and $75,000-a-night penthouse suite.

It had been previously reported that the shower, which is said to be the main reason for the seven-months-pregnant royal's secret trip to the Big Apple, had taken place on Tuesday, however a source close to the 37-year-old royal claims that it is scheduled for Wednesday, shortly before Meghan is set to return to London.

Meanwhile the Duchess of Sussex is preparing to celebrate her baby shower with close friends in New York city. Pictured: Meghan leaving the Surrey hotel on Tuesday

Speaking to Tatler, the source revealed that the baby shower will be held in the Grand Penthouse Suite at The Mark hotel on New York's Upper East Side, where Meghan and her friend Serena, 37, are both thought to have stayed on Tuesday evening, after enjoying dinner together at a swanky Manhattan restaurant.

Although it is not known whether Meghan has been staying in the penthouse for her entire trip - which began on Friday when she flew in from London after spending Valentine's Day with her husband Prince Harry - the location will reportedly play host to the duchess and several of her closest pals while they celebrate the upcoming arrival of Meghan and Harry's first child.

Described by the hotel as 'A Castle in the Sky', the 10,000sq ft suite boasts every luxury, including a 2,500sq ft rooftop terrace overlooking Central Park, five bedrooms, four fireplaces, six bathrooms, two powder rooms, two wet bars, a dining room, a conservatory, and a living room that can be 'transformed into a full-size Grand Ballroom' if desired by guests.

According to Tatler's source, the location was chosen by Serena, who is a long-time fan of The Mark's in-house restaurant, The Mark by Jean-Georges, a renowned chef whose flagship restaurant on Central Park West boasts two Michelin stars.

She is not thought to have stayed at the hotel before Tuesday night, when she and Meghan were pictured returning to the location after enjoying dinner with two of the royal's closest friends Jessica Mulroney and Markus Anderson.

Mother-of-one Serena is also said to be footing the bill for the use of the pricey hotel room, who has been a close friend of Meghan's since they first met in 2010.