Per Mare Per Tarrum: Prince Harry’s Latin Tribute Explained

Prince Harry made sure to acknowledge a special link to his grandfather in his tribute.

Harry Philip Latin

by Guy Pewsey |
Published on

Much is being made of the differences between tributes to the late Prince Philip paid by brothers William and Harry, the Duke of Cambridge and the Duke of Sussex respectively. William's is a warm, but undeniably formal acknowledgement of his late grandfather's work. Harry's is a more personal response, focusing on his role as family patriarch. One question, however, is the meaning of the Latin inscription that Harry includes at the end of his: 'Per Mare Per Terram.'

Here's what you need to know:

What does 'Per Mare Per Terram' mean?

'Per Mare Per Terram' is Latin for 'By Sea, By Land', and is the motto of the Royal Marines. It represents the combined role of the military branch, thought to date back to the American Revolutionary War: it is claimed to have been used for the first time in 1775. Harry's inclusion of this motto is an acknowledgment of one of the things he had in common with his grandfather: they both held the title of Captain General of the Royal Marines. Prince Philip held the post for 64 years until he stepped down from royal duties in 2017. Harry then took the title, although his departure from his senior royal role meant that he also gave it up.

Philip joined the Navy in May of 1939, enrolling at Dartmouth's Royal Naval College. He stepped down from active duty in 1951 ahead of the Queen's coronation.

Gallery

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip - Grazia

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Waving from Buckingham Palace, July 1947

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The couple officially announce their engagement at Buckingham Palace, July 1947

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After the engagement announcement, November 1947

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Elizabeth and Philip after announcing their engagement, July 1947

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Princess Elizabeth poses with her family and fiancé ahead of her marriage, 1947

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Photographed at Buckingham Palace shortly before their wedding, 1947

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Arriving at the Royal Variety Performance, November 1947

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Arriving at the Armistice Day service, November 1947

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The couple were married at Westminster Abbey on 20th November 1947

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Posing for official photos at the Palace after their wedding, November 1947

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Waving from the balcony of Buckingham Palace after the wedding, November 1947

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Honeymooning at Broadlands House, home to Philip's Uncle, November 1947

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Playing with a corgi while on honeymoon, November 1947

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Admiring wedding photos while honeymooning, November 1947

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Enjoying a walk on their honeymoon at Broadlands House in Hampshire, November 1947

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Arriving in Malta (where Philip was stationed with the Royal Navy) for the second part of their honeymoon, 1947

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Attending a charity ball at the Dorchester Hotel, 1948

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On board the 'Pamir,' March 1948

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Prince Philip receives the Freedom of the City of London, 1948

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Visiting the Arc de Triomphe, May 1948

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Attending the Royal Horse Show at Windsor, May 1949

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Arriving at the wedding of the Earl of Harewood and Marion Stein, 1949

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Posing with newborn Charles, July 1949

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After Princess Anne's christening, 1950

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Walking in the grounds of Clarence House, August 1951

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A family portrait session with the young Prince Charles and Princess Anne at Clarence House, 1951

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A photoshoot with the family, August 1951

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Visiting the Festival of Britain, 1951

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Royal tour of Quebec, 1951

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Enjoying a barn dance in Ottowa, 1951

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Photographed outside Balmoral, September 1952

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A candid shot with Princess Anne and Prince Charles, 1951

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Photographed with the children at Balmoral, September 1952

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Leaving Westminster Abbey in an ornate carriage following Elizabeth's coronation, June 1953

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Waving to the crowds from the balcony of Buckingham Palace following Elizabeth's coronation, June 1953

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Elizabeth poses for official photos with Philip following her coronation

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Visiting Northern Ireland on the Coronation Tour, 1953

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Photographing the arrival of an escort ship while en route to Fiji during the Coronation Tour, 1953

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Visiting Bermuda, November 1953

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Overseeing the children and two ponies in the grounds of Balmoral, August 1955

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Playing with corgis in the grounds of Balmoral, August 1955

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A trip to Nigeria, 1956

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Posing for photographs at Buckingham Palace, December 1958

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Posing for photographs at Buckingham Palace, December 1958

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The Queen and Prince Philip with corgis at Windsor Castle, 1959

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John and Jackie Kennedy visit Buckingham Palace, 1960

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John and Jackie Kennedy visit Buckingham Palace, 1960

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Leaving Manchester by train, May 1961

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Presenting Bobby Moore with the World Cup trophy, 1966

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Flying back from Yorkshire, filmed for a BBC and ITV documentary

'He will be remembered as the longest reigning consort to the monarch, a decorated serviceman, a prince and a duke,' Harry wrote in his statement.

'But to me, like many of you who have lost a loved one or grandparent over the pain of this past year, he was my grandpa: master of the barbecue, legend of banter, and cheeky right till the end.'

Harry has been confirmed to have arrived in the UK ahead of the funeral on Saturday, which will be private but televised. He is quarantining at Frogmore Cottage in Windsor, but will be allowed to attend the funeral due to national regulations concerning such services. Meghan, who is heavily pregnant, will not attend following medical advice.

READ MORE: It's Cruel To Expect Meghan Markle To Travel While Pregnant

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