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'''Colonel-in-chief''' is a ceremonial position in a military [[regiment]]. It is in common use in several [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] armies, where it is held by the regiment's [[patron]], usually a member of the royal family.
'''Colonel-in-chief''' is a ceremonial position in a military [[regiment]]. It is in common use in several [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] armies, where it is held by the regiment's [[patron]], usually a member of the royal family.


Some armed forces take a light-hearted approach to the position, appointing animals or characters as colonel-in-chief. The [[Norwegian Army]], for example, appointed a [[penguin]] named Sir [[Nils Olav]] as a colonel-in-chief.<ref name=olav1>[http://www.norway.org.uk/edinburgh/events/nopromotion.htm Norwegian Consulate in Edinburgh.] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080923074950/http://www.norway.org.uk/edinburgh/events/nopromotion.htm |date=September 23, 2008 }}</ref><ref name=olav2>{{cite news|title=Military penguin becomes a 'Sir'|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/7562773.stm|access-date=13 September 2015|work=[[BBC News]]|date=15 August 2008}}</ref>
Some armed forces take a light-hearted approach to the position, appointing animals or characters as colonel-in-chief. The [[Norwegian Army]], for example, appointed a [[king penguin]] named [[Nils Olav|Sir Nils Olav]] as a colonel-in-chief.<ref name=olav1>[http://www.norway.org.uk/edinburgh/events/nopromotion.htm Norwegian Consulate in Edinburgh.] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080923074950/http://www.norway.org.uk/edinburgh/events/nopromotion.htm |date=September 23, 2008 }}</ref><ref name=olav2>{{cite news|title=Military penguin becomes a 'Sir'|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/7562773.stm|access-date=13 September 2015|work=[[BBC News]]|date=15 August 2008}}</ref>


== History ==
== History ==
{{section stub|date=November 2015}}
{{section stub|date=November 2015}}


Historically a ''colonel-in-chief'' was the ceremonial head of a [[regiment]], usually a member of a European country's royal family. The practice extends at least back to 1740 in [[Prussia]] when [[Frederick II of Prussia|Frederick II]] held that position ({{lang-de|Regimentschef}}) in the newly created [[Gardes du Corps (Prussia)|Garde du Corps]], an elite heavy cavalry regiment.<ref name= Hohenzollern>{{cite web |url=http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?t=24061 |title=Colonel-in-Chiefs belonging to the Hohenzollern Family}}</ref>{{Unreliable source?|date=November 2015}}
Historically a ''colonel-in-chief'' was the ceremonial head of a [[regiment]], usually a member of a European country's royal family. The practice extends at least back to 1740 in [[Prussia]] when [[Frederick II of Prussia|Frederick II]] held that position ({{langx|de|Regimentschef}}) in the newly created [[Gardes du Corps (Prussia)|Garde du Corps]], an elite heavy cavalry regiment.<ref name= Hohenzollern>{{cite web |url=http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?t=24061 |title=Colonel-in-Chiefs belonging to the Hohenzollern Family}}</ref>{{Unreliable source?|date=November 2015}}


By the late 19th century the designation could be given to the children of royalty; there are pictures of the daughters of [[Russian Czar]] [[Nicholas II]] in the uniforms of their regiments.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gettyimages.it/detail/fotografie-di-cronaca/grand-duchess-maria-nikolaevna-of-russia-in-fotografie-di-cronaca/161055085 |title=Granduchessa Maria Nikolaevna di Russia |website=Getty Images}}</ref> The [[German Kaiser]] [[Wilhelm II]] carried the title to an extreme, holding it in literally dozens of German and (by diplomatic courtesy) Austro-Hungarian (called ''[[Inhaber]]''), British, Russian, and Portuguese regiments. His mother, wife, son, and daughters were also full or deputy colonels-in-chief of various units. <ref name= Hohenzollern/>
By the late 19th century the designation could be given to the children of royalty; there are pictures of the daughters of [[Russian Czar]] [[Nicholas II]] in the uniforms of their regiments.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gettyimages.it/detail/fotografie-di-cronaca/grand-duchess-maria-nikolaevna-of-russia-in-fotografie-di-cronaca/161055085 |title=Granduchessa Maria Nikolaevna di Russia |website=Getty Images}}</ref> The [[German Kaiser]] [[Wilhelm II]] carried the title to an extreme, holding it in dozens of German and (by diplomatic courtesy) Austro-Hungarian (called ''[[Inhaber]]''), British, Russian, and Portuguese regiments. His mother, wife, son, and daughters were also full or deputy colonels-in-chief of various units. <ref name= Hohenzollern/>


== Role ==
== Role ==
In modern usage, the colonel-in-chief of a [[regiment]] is its (usually royal) [[patron]], who has a ceremonial role in the life of the regiment. They do not have an operational role, or the right to issue orders, but are kept informed of all important activities of the regiment and pay occasional visits to its units. The chief purpose of the colonel-in-chief is to maintain a direct link between the regiment and the royal family.{{citation needed|date=September 2015}} Some [[artillery]] regiments have a [[Captain general#Great Britain|captain-general]] instead of a colonel-in-chief, but the posts are essentially the same.
In modern usage, the colonel-in-chief of a [[regiment]] is its (usually royal) [[patron]], who has a ceremonial role in the life of the regiment. They do not have any operational role, or the right to issue orders, but are kept informed of all important activities of the regiment and pay occasional visits to its units. The chief purpose of the colonel-in-chief is to maintain a direct link between the regiment and the royal family.{{citation needed|date=September 2015}} Some [[artillery]] regiments have a [[Captain general#Great Britain|captain-general]] instead of a colonel-in-chief, but the posts are essentially the same.


The position of colonel-in-chief is distinct from the other ceremonial regimental posts of [[Colonel (United Kingdom)#Ceremonial usage|colonel of the regiment]] and [[Colonel (United Kingdom)#Honorary Colonel|honorary colonel]], which are usually retired military officers or public figures with ties to the regiment.
The position of colonel-in-chief is distinct from the other ceremonial regimental posts of [[Colonel (United Kingdom)#Ceremonial usage|colonel of the regiment]] and [[Colonel (United Kingdom)#Honorary Colonel|honorary colonel]], which are usually retired military officers or public figures with ties to the regiment.
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====Royal Navy (styled Commodore-in-Chief)====
====Royal Navy (styled Commodore-in-Chief)====


* [[HMNB Devonport|Plymouth]] — [[King Charles III|The King]]
* [[HMNB Devonport|Plymouth, Royal Naval Command]] — [[King Charles III]]
* Aircraft Carriers — The King
* Aircraft Carriers — King Charles III
* [[Royal Navy Medical Service]] — [[Queen Camilla|The Queen]]
* [[Royal Navy Medical Service]] — [[Queen Camilla]]
* [[Royal Navy Chaplaincy Service]] — The Queen
* [[Royal Navy Chaplaincy Service]] — Queen Camilla
* [[HMNB Clyde|Scotland]] — [[Prince William, Prince of Wales|The Prince of Wales]]
* [[HMNB Clyde|Scotland]] — [[William, Prince of Wales]]
* [[Royal Navy Submarine Service|Submarines]] — The Prince of Wales
* [[Royal Navy Submarine Service|Submarines]] — William, Prince of Wales
* [[Fleet Air Arm]] — [[Catherine, Princess of Wales|The Princess of Wales]]
* [[Fleet Air Arm]] — [[Catherine, Princess of Wales]]
* [[Royal Fleet Auxiliary]] — [[Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh|The Duke of Edinburgh]]
* [[Royal Fleet Auxiliary]] — [[Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh]]
* [[HMNB Portsmouth|Portsmouth]] — [[Anne, Princess Royal|The Princess Royal]]
* [[HMNB Portsmouth|Portsmouth]] — [[Anne, Princess Royal]]
* [[Royal Naval Reserve|Maritime Reserves]] — [[Prince Michael of Kent]]
* [[Royal Naval Reserve|Maritime Reserves]] — [[Prince Michael of Kent]]
* Small Ships and Diving — ''vacant''
* Small Ships and Diving — ''vacant''
* [[Royal Marines]] — The King (styled [[Captain General Royal Marines]])
* [[Royal Marines]] — King Charles III (styled [[Captain General Royal Marines]])
* Women in the Royal Navy — Anne, Princess Royal (styled Chief Commandant)


==== British Army ====
==== British Army ====


=====Cavalry=====
=====Household Cavalry and Royal Armoured Corps=====

*[[Life Guards (United Kingdom)|The Life Guards]] — The King
====== Household Cavalry ======
*[[The Blues and Royals|The Blues and Royals (Royal Horse Guards and 1st Dragoons)]] — The King
*[[1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards]] — The Princess of Wales
*[[Life Guards (United Kingdom)|The Life Guards]] — King Charles III
**[[Edward Smyth-Osbourne|Sir Edward Smyth-Osbourne]] (Colonel of the Regiment)
*[[Royal Scots Dragoon Guards|The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers and Greys)]] — The King
*[[The Royal Dragoon Guards]] — The Duke of Edinburgh
*[[The Blues and Royals|The Blues and Royals (Royal Horse Guards and 1st Dragoons)]] — King Charles III
**Anne, Princess Royal (Colonel of the Regiment)
*[[Queen's Royal Hussars|The Queen's Royal Hussars (Queen's Own and Royal Irish)]] — The Duke of Edinburgh

*[[The Royal Lancers (Queen Elizabeths' Own)]] — The Queen
====== Line Cavalry ======
*[[The King's Royal Hussars]] — The Princess Royal
*[[The Light Dragoons]] — [[Abdullah II of Jordan|The King of Jordan]]
*[[1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards]] — Catherine, Princess of Wales
*[[The Royal Tank Regiment]] — The King
*[[Royal Scots Dragoon Guards|The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers and Greys)]] — King Charles III
**[[Prince Edward, Duke of Kent]] (Deputy Colonel-in-Chief)
*[[The Royal Yeomanry]] — [[Princess Alexandra, The Honourable Lady Ogilvy|Princess Alexandra]]
*[[The Royal Wessex Yeomanry]] — The Duke of Edinburgh
*[[The Royal Dragoon Guards]] — Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh
**[[Katharine, Duchess of Kent]] (Deputy Colonel-in-Chief)
*[[The Queen's Own Yeomanry]] — [[Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh|The Duchess of Edinburgh]]
*[[Queen's Royal Hussars|The Queen's Royal Hussars (Queen's Own and Royal Irish)]] — Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh
*[[The Royal Lancers (Queen Elizabeths' Own)]] — Queen Camilla
*[[The King's Royal Hussars]] — Anne, Princess Royal
*[[The Light Dragoons]] — [[King Abdullah II of Jordan]]

====== Royal Tank Regiment ======
*[[The Royal Tank Regiment]] — King Charles III

====== Yeomanry ======
*[[The Royal Yeomanry]] — ''vacant''
**[[Princess Alexandra, The Honourable Lady Ogilvy]] (Royal Honorary Colonel)
*[[The Royal Wessex Yeomanry]] — ''vacant''
**Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh (Royal Honorary Colonel)
*[[The Queen's Own Yeomanry]] — ''vacant''
**Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh (Royal Honorary Colonel)
*[[Scottish and North Irish Yeomanry|The Scottish and North Irish Yeomanry]] — ''vacant''
*[[Scottish and North Irish Yeomanry|The Scottish and North Irish Yeomanry]] — ''vacant''


=====Infantry=====
=====Infantry=====

*[[Grenadier Guards]] — The King
*[[Coldstream Guards]] — The King
====== Foot Guards ======
*[[Scots Guards]] — The King
*[[Grenadier Guards]] — King Charles III
**Queen Camilla (Colonel of the Regiment)
*[[Irish Guards]] — The King
*[[Welsh Guards]] — The King
*[[Coldstream Guards]] — King Charles III
**[[James Bucknall|Sir James Bucknall]] (Colonel of the Regiment)
*[[The Royal Regiment of Scotland]] — The King
*[[Scots Guards]] — King Charles III
**Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh (Colonel of the Regiment)
*[[Irish Guards]] — King Charles III
**Catherine, Princess of Wales (Colonel of the Regiment)
*[[Welsh Guards]] — King Charles III
**William, Prince of Wales (Colonel of the Regiment)
*[[London Guards]] — ''vacant''
**Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh (Colonel of the Regiment)

====== Line Infantry and Rifles ======
*[[The Royal Regiment of Scotland]] — King Charles III
**Anne, Princess Royal (Deputy Colonel-in-Chief)
**Black Watch, 3rd Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland — King Charles III
**52nd Lowland, 6th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland — Anne, Princess Royal
**51st Highland, 7th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland — King Charles III
*[[Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment|The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment (Queen's and Royal Hampshires)]] — ''vacant''
*[[Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment|The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment (Queen's and Royal Hampshires)]] — ''vacant''
*[[Duke of Lancaster's Regiment|The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment (King's, Lancashire and Border)]] — The King
*[[Duke of Lancaster's Regiment|The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment (King's, Lancashire and Border)]] — King Charles III
*[[The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers]] — [[Prince Edward, Duke of Kent|The Duke of Kent]]
*[[The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers]] — Prince Edward, Duke of Kent
*[[The Royal Anglian Regiment]] — [[Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester|The Duke of Gloucester]]
*[[The Royal Anglian Regiment]] — [[Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester]]
*[[Yorkshire Regiment|The Royal Yorkshire Regiment (14th/15th, 19th and 33rd/76th Foot)]] — ''vacant''
*[[Yorkshire Regiment|The Royal Yorkshire Regiment (14th/15th, 19th and 33rd/76th Foot)]] — ''vacant''
*[[Mercian Regiment|The Mercian Regiment (Cheshire, Worcesters and Foresters, and Staffords)]] — The Prince of Wales
*[[The Royal Welsh]] — King Charles III
*[[Mercian Regiment|The Mercian Regiment (Cheshire, Worcesters and Foresters, and Staffords)]] — William, Prince of Wales
*[[Royal Irish Regiment (1992)|Royal Irish Regiment]] — [[Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh]]
*[[The Royal Welsh]] — ''vacant''
*[[Royal Irish Regiment (1992)|Royal Irish Regiment]] — The Duchess of Edinburgh
*[[The Royal Gurkha Rifles]] — King Charles III
*[[The Rifles]] — Queen Camilla
*[[Parachute Regiment (United Kingdom)|The Parachute Regiment]] — The King
**1st Battalion — Prince Edward, Duke of Kent (Royal Colonel)
*[[The Royal Gurkha Rifles]] — The King
**2nd Battalion — Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh (Royal Colonel)
*[[The Rifles]] — The Queen
**3rd Battalion — Princess Alexandra, The Honourable Lady Ogilvy (Royal Colonel)
*[[The Royal Gibraltar Regiment]] — [[Governor of Gibraltar|The Governor of Gibraltar]]
**5th Battalion — Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh (Royal Colonel)
*[[Royal Bermuda Regiment|The Royal Bermuda Regiment]] — [[Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester|The Duchess of Gloucester]]
**6th Battalion — Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester (Royal Colonel)
**7th Battalion — Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester (Royal Colonel)


=====Combat Support=====
====== Airborne Infantry ======
*[[Army Air Corps (United Kingdom)|Army Air Corps]] — The Prince of Wales
*[[Parachute Regiment (United Kingdom)|The Parachute Regiment]] — King Charles III

*[[Corps of Royal Engineers]] — The King
====== Special Operations ======
*[[Intelligence Corps (United Kingdom)|Intelligence Corps]] — The Princess Royal
*[[Ranger Regiment (United Kingdom)|Ranger Regiment]] — ''vacant''
*[[Royal Corps of Signals]] — The Princess Royal
**1st Battalion — Anne, Princess Royal
*[[Royal Regiment of Artillery]] — The King (styled [[Captain-General]])
**4th Battalion — Queen Camilla

===== Special Forces =====

* [[Special Air Service]] — ''vacant''
* [[Special Reconnaissance Regiment]] — Queen Camilla

=====Combat Support and Army Air Corps=====
*[[Army Air Corps (United Kingdom)|Army Air Corps]] — William, Prince of Wales
*[[Royal Regiment of Artillery]] — King Charles III (styled [[Captain-General]])
*[[Corps of Royal Engineers]] — King Charles III
*[[Royal Corps of Signals]] — Anne, Princess Royal
**[[Queen's Gurkha Signals]] — Anne, Princess Royal
*[[Intelligence Corps (United Kingdom)|Intelligence Corps]] — Anne, Princess Royal
*[[Honourable Artillery Company]] — King Charles III (styled [[Captain-General]])
**Prince Michael of Kent (Royal Honorary Colonel)
*[[Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers|Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers (Militia)]] — ''vacant''
**Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester (Royal Honorary Colonel)


=====Combat Service Support=====
=====Combat Service Support=====
*[[Adjutant General's Corps]] — The Duchess of Gloucester
*[[Royal Logistic Corps]] — Anne, Princess Royal
**Katharine, Duchess of Kent (Deputy Colonel-in-Chief)
*[[Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers]] — The Duchess of Edinburgh
**Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester (Deputy Colonel-in-Chief)
*[[Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps]] — The Duchess of Edinburgh
**[[10 Queen's Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment RLC|10 The Queen's Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment]] — Anne, Princess Royal
*[[Royal Army Dental Corps]] — The Duchess of Gloucester
*[[Royal Army Medical Corps]] — The Duke of Gloucester
*[[Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers]] — Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh
*[[Royal Army Veterinary Corps]] — The Princess Royal
*[[Adjutant General's Corps]] — [[Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester]]
**Katharine, Duchess of Kent (Deputy Colonel-in-Chief)
*[[Royal Logistic Corps]] — The Princess Royal
**Staff and Personnel Support — ''vacant''
**[[Educational and Training Services Branch|Educational and Training Services]] — ''vacant''
**[[Army Legal Services Branch|Army Legal Services]] — ''vacant''
**Provost Branch — ''vacant''
***[[Royal Military Police]] — King Charles III
***[[Military Provost Staff]] — ''vacant''
***[[Military Provost Guard Service]] — ''vacant''
*[[Royal Corps of Army Music]] — Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh
*[[Royal Army Chaplains' Department]] — ''vacant''
*[[Small Arms School Corps]] — ''vacant''
*[[Small Arms School Corps]] — ''vacant''
*[[Royal Army Physical Training Corps]] — ''vacant''
*[[General Service Corps]] — ''vacant''

====== Army Medical Services ======
*[[Royal Army Medical Service]] — Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester
*[[Royal Army Veterinary Corps]] — Anne, Princess Royal

===== Overseas Regiments =====

* [[The Royal Gibraltar Regiment]] — [[Governor of Gibraltar]] (''ex officio'')
*[[Royal Bermuda Regiment|The Royal Bermuda Regiment]] — Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester
*[[Royal Montserrat Defence Force]] — ''vacant''
*[[Cayman Islands Regiment]] — ''vacant''
*[[Turks and Caicos Islands Regiment]] — ''vacant''
*[[Falkland Islands Defence Force]] — ''vacant''


==== Royal Air Force (styled Honorary Air Commodore) ====
==== Royal Air Force (styled Honorary Air Commodore) ====


* [[Royal Air Force]] — The King (styled [[Air commodore-in-chief|Air Commodore-in-Chief]])
* [[Royal Air Force]] — King Charles III (styled [[Air commodore-in-chief|Air Commodore-in-Chief]])
* [[RAF Regiment]] — The King (styled Air Commodore-in-Chief)
* [[RAF Regiment]] — King Charles III (styled Air Commodore-in-Chief)
* [[RAF Regiment]] — [[Stephen Dalton|Sir Stephen Dalton]]
* [[RAF Regiment]] — [[Stephen Dalton|Sir Stephen Dalton]]
* [[Royal Auxiliary Air Force]] — The Duke of Gloucester (styled Colonel-in-Chief)
* [[Royal Auxiliary Air Force]] — Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester (styled Honorary Air Commodore-in-Chief)
* [[Royal Air Force Air Cadets]] — The Princess of Wales (styles Honorary Air Commandant)
* [[Royal Air Force Air Cadets]] — Catherine, Princess of Wales (styled Honorary Air Commandant)
* [[Princess Mary's Royal Air Force Nursing Service]] — Princess Alexandra (styled Air Chief Commandant)
* [[Princess Mary's Royal Air Force Nursing Service]] — Princess Alexandra, The Honourable Lady Ogilvy (styled Air Chief Commandant)
* [[RAF Ascension Island]] — ''vacant''
* [[RAF Ascension Island]] — ''vacant''
* [[RAF Akrotiri]] — ''vacant''
* [[RAF Akrotiri]] — ''vacant''
* [[RAF Benson]] — Prince Michael of Kent (styled Honorary Air Marshal)
* [[RAF Benson]] — Prince Michael of Kent (styled Honorary Air Marshal)
* [[RAF Boulmer]] — ''vacant''
* [[RAF Boulmer]] — ''vacant''
* [[RAF Brize Norton]] — The Princess Royal
* [[RAF Brize Norton]] — Anne, Princess Royal
* [[RAF Coningsby]] — The Princess of Wales
* [[RAF Coningsby]] — Catherine, Princess of Wales (styled Royal Honorary Air Commodore)
* [[RAF Cosford]] — ''vacant''
* [[RAF Cosford]] — ''vacant''
* [[RAF Cranwell]] — ''vacant''
* [[RAF Cranwell]] — ''vacant''
* [[RAF Digby]] — ''vacant''
* [[RAF Digby]] — ''vacant''
* [[RAF Gibraltar]] — ''vacant''
* [[RAF Gibraltar]] — ''vacant''
* [[RAF Halton]] — The Queen
* [[RAF Halton]] — Queen Camilla
* [[RAF Henlow]] — ''vacant''
* [[RAF Henlow]] — ''vacant''
* [[RAF High Wycombe]] — ''vacant''
* [[RAF High Wycombe]] — ''vacant''
* [[RAF Honington]] — ''vacant''
* [[RAF Honington]] — ''vacant''
* [[RAF Leeming]] — The Queen
* [[RAF Leeming]] — Queen Camilla
* [[RAF Lossiemouth]] — ''vacant''
* [[RAF Lossiemouth]] — ''vacant''
* [[RAF Marham]] — The King
* [[RAF Marham]] — King Charles III
* [[RAF Northolt]] — ''vacant''
* [[RAF Northolt]] — ''vacant''
* [[RAF Odiham]] — The Duke of Gloucester
* [[RAF Odiham]] — Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester
* [[RAF Shawbury]] — ''vacant''
* [[RAF Shawbury]] — ''vacant''
* [[RAF Spadeadam]] — ''vacant''
* [[RAF Spadeadam]] — ''vacant''
* [[RAF St Mawgan]] — ''vacant''
* [[RAF St Mawgan]] — ''vacant''
* [[RAF Syerston]] — ''vacant''
* [[RAF Syerston]] — ''vacant''
* [[RAF Valley]] — The Prince of Wales
* [[RAF Valley]] — William, Prince of Wales (styled Royal Honorary Air Commodore)
* [[RAF Waddington]] — The Duke of Edinburgh
* [[RAF Waddington]] — Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh
* [[RAF Wittering]] — The Duchess of Edinburgh
* [[RAF Wittering]] — Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh
* [[RAF Woodvale]] — ''vacant''
* [[RAF Woodvale]] — ''vacant''
* [[RAF Wyton]] — ''vacant''
* [[RAF Wyton]] — ''vacant''
* [[University Air Squadron|University of London Air Squadron]] — The Princess Royal
* [[University Air Squadron|University of London Air Squadron]] — Anne, Princess Royal
* [[No. 501 Squadron RAF|501 (County of Gloucester) Squadron, Royal Auxiliary Air Force]] — The Duke of Gloucester
* [[No. 501 Squadron RAF|501 (County of Gloucester) Squadron, Royal Auxiliary Air Force]] — Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester
* [[No. 600 Squadron RAF|600 (City of London) Squadron, Royal Auxiliary Air Force]] — [[Hugh Trenchard, 3rd Viscount Trenchard|The Viscount Trenchard]]
* [[No. 600 Squadron RAF|600 (City of London) Squadron, Royal Auxiliary Air Force]] — [[Hugh Trenchard, 3rd Viscount Trenchard]]
* [[No. 612 Squadron RAF|612 Squadron, Royal Auxiliary Air Force]] — [[Simon Arthur, 4th Baron Glenarthur|The Lord Glenarthur]]
* [[No. 612 Squadron RAF|612 Squadron, Royal Auxiliary Air Force]] — [[Simon Arthur, 4th Baron Glenarthur]]
* [[No. 4626 Squadron RAuxAF|4626 Squadron, Royal Auxiliary Air Force]] — [[Maxwell Aitken, 3rd Baron Beaverbrook|The Lord Beaverbrook]]
* [[No. 4626 Squadron RAuxAF|4626 Squadron, Royal Auxiliary Air Force]] — [[Maxwell Aitken, 3rd Baron Beaverbrook]]
* 7006 Squadron, [[Royal Auxiliary Air Force]] — [[Christopher Andrew (historian)|Christopher Andrew]]
* 7006 Squadron, [[Royal Auxiliary Air Force]] — [[Christopher Andrew (historian)|Christopher Andrew]]
* 7630 Squadron, [[Royal Auxiliary Air Force]] — [[David Cousins|Sir David Cousins]]
* 7630 Squadron, [[Royal Auxiliary Air Force]] — [[David Cousins]]

=== Antigua and Barbuda ===

* [[Antigua and Barbuda Regiment]] — [[King Charles III]]


===Australia===
===Australia===
*[[Royal Australian Armoured Corps]] — [[King Charles III|The King]]
*[[Royal Australian Armoured Corps]] — [[King Charles III]]
*[[Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery]] — ''vacant'' (styled [[Captain General]])
*[[Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery]] — King Charles III<ref>{{cite web|title= Head of Regiment Order of the Day|date=11 August 2023|access-date=14 March 2024|url=https://artilleryhistory.org/HOR/HOR%20OOD%20-%20Captain%20General.pdf|website=Royal Australian Artillery Historical Company}}</ref> (styled [[Captain General]])
*[[Corps of Royal Australian Engineers]] — ''vacant''
*[[Corps of Royal Australian Engineers]] — ''vacant''
*[[Royal Australian Corps of Signals]] — [[Anne, Princess Royal|The Princess Royal]]
*[[Royal Australian Corps of Signals]] — [[Anne, Princess Royal]]
*[[Royal Australian Infantry Corps]] — ''vacant''
*[[Royal Australian Infantry Corps]] — ''vacant''
*[[Royal Australian Corps of Transport]] — The Princess Royal
*[[Royal Australian Corps of Transport]] — Anne, Princess Royal
*[[Royal Australian Army Medical Corps]] — [[Governor-General of Australia|The Governor-General of Australia]]
*[[Royal Australian Army Medical Corps]] — [[Governor-General of Australia]] (''[[ex officio]]'')
*[[Royal Australian Army Ordnance Corps]] — ''vacant''
*[[Royal Australian Army Ordnance Corps]] — ''vacant''
*[[Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers|Corps of Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers]] — ''vacant''
*[[Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers|Corps of Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers]] — ''vacant''
*[[Royal Australian Army Educational Corps]] — [[Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester|The Duchess of Gloucester]]
*[[Royal Australian Army Educational Corps]] — [[Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester]]
*[[Royal Australian Corps of Military Police]] — [[Queen Camilla|The Queen]]
*[[Royal Australian Corps of Military Police]] — [[Queen Camilla]]
*[[Royal Australian Army Nursing Corps]] — ''vacant''
*[[Royal Australian Army Nursing Corps]] — ''vacant''


Line 168: Line 248:
===== Royal Canadian Armoured Corps =====
===== Royal Canadian Armoured Corps =====


* [[Royal Canadian Dragoons]] — [[King Charles III|The King]]
* [[Royal Canadian Dragoons]] — [[King Charles III]]
* [[Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians)]] — The King
* [[Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians)]] — King Charles III
* [[8th Canadian Hussars (Princess Louise's)]] — [[Anne, Princess Royal|The Princess Royal]]
* [[8th Canadian Hussars (Princess Louise's)]] — [[Anne, Princess Royal]]
* [[Prince Edward Island Regiment (RCAC)]] — [[Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh|The Duke of Edinburgh]]
* [[Prince Edward Island Regiment (RCAC)]] — [[Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh]]
* [[South Alberta Light Horse]] — [[Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh|The Duchess of Edinburgh]]
* [[South Alberta Light Horse]] — [[Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh]]
*[[Saskatchewan Dragoons]] — The Duke of Edinburgh
*[[Saskatchewan Dragoons]] — Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh


===== Royal Canadian Infantry Corps =====
===== Royal Canadian Infantry Corps =====
* [[Royal Canadian Regiment|The Royal Canadian Regiment]] – ''Vacant''

* [[Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry]] — [[Adrienne Clarkson]]
* [[Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry]] — [[Adrienne Clarkson]]
* [[Royal 22nd Regiment]] - ''Vacant''
* [[Queen's Own Rifles of Canada]] — [[Queen Camilla|The Queen]]
* [[Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada]] — The King
* [[Queen's Own Rifles of Canada]] — [[Queen Camilla]]
* [[Royal Regiment of Canada]] — The King
* [[Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada]] — King Charles III
* [[Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment]] — The Duke of Edinburgh
* [[Royal Regiment of Canada]] — King Charles III
* [[Lincoln and Welland Regiment]] — The Duchess of Edinburgh
* [[Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment]] — Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh
* [[Grey and Simcoe Foresters]] — [[Anne, Princess Royal|The Princess Royal]]
* [[Lincoln and Welland Regiment]] — Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh
* [[Grey and Simcoe Foresters]] — Anne, Princess Royal
* [[Lorne Scots (Peel, Dufferin and Halton Regiment)]] — [[Prince Edward, Duke of Kent|The Duke of Kent]]
* [[Lorne Scots (Peel, Dufferin and Halton Regiment)]] — [[Prince Edward, Duke of Kent]]
* [[Royal Winnipeg Rifles]] — The King
* [[Royal Winnipeg Rifles]] — King Charles III
* [[Essex and Kent Scottish]] — [[Prince Michael of Kent]]
* [[Essex and Kent Scottish]] — [[Prince Michael of Kent]]
* [[Royal Regina Rifles]] — The Princess Royal
* [[Royal Regina Rifles]] — Anne, Princess Royal
* [[Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary's)]] — [[Princess Alexandra, The Honourable Lady Ogilvy|Princess Alexandra]]
* [[Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary's)]] — [[Princess Alexandra, The Honourable Lady Ogilvy]]
* [[Irish Regiment of Canada]] — The King
* [[Irish Regiment of Canada]] — King Charles III
* [[Toronto Scottish Regiment (Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother's Own)]] — The King
* [[Toronto Scottish Regiment (Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother's Own)]] — King Charles III
* [[Royal Newfoundland Regiment]] — The Princess Royal
* [[Royal Newfoundland Regiment]] — Anne, Princess Royal


===== Personnel Branches =====
===== Royal Canadian Engineers =====


* [[31 Combat Engineer Regiment (The Elgin's)]] — [[Earl of Elgin]] (''ex officio'')
* [[Communications and Electronics Branch]] — The Princess Royal

* [[Royal Canadian Medical Service]] — The Princess Royal
===== Personnel branches =====
* [[Royal Canadian Dental Corps]] — [[Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester|The Duchess of Gloucester]]
* [[Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery]] — [[King Charles III]]<ref>{{Cite tweet |author=Canadian Army |user=CanadianArmy |number=1689996398777741312 |date=11 August 2023 |title=Today, His Majesty King Charles III, King of Canada, has graciously announced that he will adopt the Royal Appointment of Captain General of The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery. |access-date=1 March 2024}}</ref> (styled [[Captain General]])
* [[Communications and Electronics Branch]] — Anne, Princess Royal
* [[Royal Canadian Medical Service]] — Anne, Princess Royal
* [[Royal Canadian Dental Corps]] — [[Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester]]

=== Jamaica ===

* [[The Jamaica Regiment|Jamaica Regiment]] — [[King Charles III]]


===Malaysia===
===Malaysia===
Line 205: Line 294:
*[[Royal Ranger Regiment]] — Raja [[Sirajuddin of Perlis]]
*[[Royal Ranger Regiment]] — Raja [[Sirajuddin of Perlis]]
*[[Malaysian Royal Armoured Corps|Royal Armoured Corps]] — Sultan [[Mizan Zainal Abidin of Terengganu]]
*[[Malaysian Royal Armoured Corps|Royal Armoured Corps]] — Sultan [[Mizan Zainal Abidin of Terengganu]]
*[[Special Operations Regiment]] — Sultan [[Ibrahim Ismail of Johor]]
*[[Special Operations Regiment]] — Sultan [[Ibrahim Iskandar of Johor]], the current [[King of Malaysia]]


=====Combat Support=====
=====Combat Support=====
*[[Royal Artillery Regiment]] and [[Kor Risik DiRaja|Royal Intelligence Corps]] — Sultan [[Muhammad V of Kelantan]]
*[[Royal Artillery Regiment]] and [[Kor Risik DiRaja|Royal Intelligence Corps]] — Sultan [[Muhammad V of Kelantan]]
*[[Royal Regiment of Engineers]] — Sultan [[Nazrin Shah of Perak]]
*[[Royal Regiment of Engineers]] — Sultan [[Nazrin Shah of Perak]]
*[[Royal Signals Regiment]] — [[Muhriz of Negeri Sembilan|Muhriz, Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan]]
*[[Royal Signals Regiment]] — [[Muhriz of Negeri Sembilan|Tuanku Muhriz, Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan]]


=====Service Support=====
=====Service Support=====
*[[Royal Service Corps]] — Sultan Sallehuddin of Kedah
*Royal Service Corps — Sultan [[Sallehuddin of Kedah]]
*[[Royal Ordnance Corps]] — Sultan [[Mizan Zainal Abidin of Terengganu]]
*[[Royal Ordnance Corps (Malaysia)|Royal Ordnance Corps]] — Sultan [[Mizan Zainal Abidin of Terengganu]]
*[[Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Corps]] — Muhriz, Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan
*[[Corps of Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers (Malaysia)|Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Corps]] — [[Muhriz of Negeri Sembilan|Tuanku Muhriz, Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan]]


====Royal Malaysian Air Force====
====Royal Malaysian Air Force====
*[[Royal Malaysian Air Force]] — [[Abdullah of Pahang]], the current [[Yang di-Pertuan Agong|King of Malaysia]]
*[[Royal Malaysian Air Force]] — Sultan [[Abdullah of Pahang]]


====Royal Malaysian Navy====
====Royal Malaysian Navy====
*[[Royal Malaysian Navy]] — Sultan [[Sharafuddin of Selangor]] (styled Commodore-in-Chief)
*[[Royal Malaysian Navy]] — Sultan [[Sharafuddin of Selangor]] (styled Commodore-in-Chief)


===New Zealand===
=== New Zealand ===

*[[Royal Regiment of New Zealand Artillery]] — ''vacant'' (styled [[Captain-General]])
* New Zealand Corps of Officer Cadets — ''vacant''

*[[Royal Regiment of New Zealand Artillery]] — [[King Charles III]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rnzaa.org.nz/article-new-rnza-captain-general|title= New RNZA Captain General|website=The Royal New Zealand Artillery Association|access-date=21 February 2024|date=25 August 2023}}</ref> (styled [[Captain-General]])
*[[Royal New Zealand Armoured Corps]] — ''vacant'' (styled [[Captain-General]])
*[[Royal New Zealand Armoured Corps]] — ''vacant'' (styled [[Captain-General]])
*[[Corps of Royal New Zealand Engineers]] — ''vacant''
*[[Corps of Royal New Zealand Engineers]] — ''vacant''
*[[Royal New Zealand Corps of Signals]] — [[Anne, Princess Royal|The Princess Royal]]
*[[Royal New Zealand Corps of Signals]] — [[Anne, Princess Royal]]
*[[Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment]] — ''vacant''
*[[Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment]] — ''vacant''
*[[New Zealand Special Air Service]] — ''vacant''
*[[New Zealand Intelligence Corps]] — ''vacant''
*[[Royal New Zealand Army Logistic Regiment]] — ''vacant''
*[[Royal New Zealand Army Logistic Regiment]] — ''vacant''
*[[Royal New Zealand Army Medical Corps]] — [[Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester|The Duke of Gloucester]]
*[[Royal New Zealand Army Medical Corps]] — [[Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester]]
*[[Royal New Zealand Army Educational Corps]] — [[Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester|The Duchess of Gloucester]]
*[[Royal New Zealand Dental Corps]] — ''vacant''
*[[Royal New Zealand Nursing Corps]] — The Princess Royal
*Royal New Zealand Chaplains Department — ''vacant''
*New Zealand Army Legal Service — ''vacant''
*Royal New Zealand Army Educational Corps — [[Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester]]
*[[Corps of Royal New Zealand Military Police]] — ''vacant''
*[[Royal New Zealand Nursing Corps]] — Anne, Princess Royal
*New Zealand Army Physical Training Corps — ''vacant''


===Norway===
===Norway===
[[File:Nils Olav inspects the Kings Guard of Norway after being bestowed with a knighthood at Edinburgh Zoo in Scotland.jpg|thumb|Sir [[Nils Olav]] (a [[king penguin]]) inspects troops of the [[Hans Majestet Kongens Garde|Norwegian Royal Guard]], of which he is Colonel-in-Chief|alt=]]
[[File:Nils Olav inspects the Kings Guard of Norway after being bestowed with a knighthood at Edinburgh Zoo in Scotland.jpg|thumb|Sir [[Nils Olav]] (a [[king penguin]]) inspects troops of the [[Hans Majestet Kongens Garde|Norwegian Royal Guard]], of which he is Colonel-in-Chief|alt=]]
*[[Hans Majestet Kongens Garde|His Majesty The King's Guard]] — Sir [[Nils Olav]], a [[king penguin]]<ref name="olav1"/><ref name="olav2"/>
*[[Hans Majestet Kongens Garde|His Majesty The King's Guard]] — Sir [[Nils Olav|Nils Olav III]]<ref name="olav1"/><ref name="olav2"/>


===Papua New Guinea===
===Papua New Guinea===
*[[Royal Pacific Islands Regiment]] — [[King Charles III|The King]]
*[[Royal Pacific Islands Regiment]] — [[King Charles III]]


==References==
==References==

Latest revision as of 10:16, 15 November 2024

Not to be confused with Commander-in-chief or Colonel of the Regiment.

Colonel-in-chief is a ceremonial position in a military regiment. It is in common use in several Commonwealth armies, where it is held by the regiment's patron, usually a member of the royal family.

Some armed forces take a light-hearted approach to the position, appointing animals or characters as colonel-in-chief. The Norwegian Army, for example, appointed a king penguin named Sir Nils Olav as a colonel-in-chief.[1][2]

History

[edit]

Historically a colonel-in-chief was the ceremonial head of a regiment, usually a member of a European country's royal family. The practice extends at least back to 1740 in Prussia when Frederick II held that position (German: Regimentschef) in the newly created Garde du Corps, an elite heavy cavalry regiment.[3][unreliable source?]

By the late 19th century the designation could be given to the children of royalty; there are pictures of the daughters of Russian Czar Nicholas II in the uniforms of their regiments.[4] The German Kaiser Wilhelm II carried the title to an extreme, holding it in dozens of German and (by diplomatic courtesy) Austro-Hungarian (called Inhaber), British, Russian, and Portuguese regiments. His mother, wife, son, and daughters were also full or deputy colonels-in-chief of various units. [3]

Role

[edit]

In modern usage, the colonel-in-chief of a regiment is its (usually royal) patron, who has a ceremonial role in the life of the regiment. They do not have any operational role, or the right to issue orders, but are kept informed of all important activities of the regiment and pay occasional visits to its units. The chief purpose of the colonel-in-chief is to maintain a direct link between the regiment and the royal family.[citation needed] Some artillery regiments have a captain-general instead of a colonel-in-chief, but the posts are essentially the same.

The position of colonel-in-chief is distinct from the other ceremonial regimental posts of colonel of the regiment and honorary colonel, which are usually retired military officers or public figures with ties to the regiment.

Colonels-in-chief are appointed at the invitation of the regiment. While it is traditional for a royal personage to hold the position,[citation needed] it is at the discretion of each regiment whom they invite.

As of 2024, most colonels-in-chief in the British Army are members of the British royal family. However, one foreign monarch holds the position:[citation needed]

In the past non-royal persons have held, or been invited to hold, the post of colonel-in-chief. The Duke of Wellington was colonel-in-chief of the regiment that bore his name. The Governor General of Canada Adrienne Clarkson was invited to be colonel-in-chief of Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry,[5] while the Royal Australian Army Medical Corps decided to ask the Governor-General of Australia to serve as its colonel-in-chief.[6]

The role has spread to other armies in the Commonwealth of Nations, at least in countries which have royal families.[citation needed]

List of colonels-in-chief

[edit]

United Kingdom

[edit]

Royal Navy (styled Commodore-in-Chief)

[edit]

British Army

[edit]
Household Cavalry and Royal Armoured Corps
[edit]
Household Cavalry
[edit]
Line Cavalry
[edit]
Royal Tank Regiment
[edit]
Yeomanry
[edit]
Infantry
[edit]
Foot Guards
[edit]
  • Grenadier Guards — King Charles III
    • Queen Camilla (Colonel of the Regiment)
  • Coldstream Guards — King Charles III
  • Scots Guards — King Charles III
    • Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh (Colonel of the Regiment)
  • Irish Guards — King Charles III
    • Catherine, Princess of Wales (Colonel of the Regiment)
  • Welsh Guards — King Charles III
    • William, Prince of Wales (Colonel of the Regiment)
  • London Guards — vacant
    • Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh (Colonel of the Regiment)
Line Infantry and Rifles
[edit]
Airborne Infantry
[edit]
Special Operations
[edit]
  • Ranger Regiment — vacant
    • 1st Battalion — Anne, Princess Royal
    • 4th Battalion — Queen Camilla
Special Forces
[edit]
Combat Support and Army Air Corps
[edit]
Combat Service Support
[edit]
Army Medical Services
[edit]
Overseas Regiments
[edit]

Royal Air Force (styled Honorary Air Commodore)

[edit]

Antigua and Barbuda

[edit]

Australia

[edit]

Brunei Darussalam

[edit]

Canada

[edit]
Further information: List of Canadian organizations with royal patronage § Military, and Monarchy of Canada and the Canadian Armed Forces

Canadian Army

[edit]
Royal Canadian Armoured Corps
[edit]
Royal Canadian Infantry Corps
[edit]
Royal Canadian Engineers
[edit]
Personnel branches
[edit]

Jamaica

[edit]

Malaysia

[edit]

Malaysian Army

[edit]
Combat
[edit]
Combat Support
[edit]
Service Support
[edit]

Royal Malaysian Air Force

[edit]

Royal Malaysian Navy

[edit]

New Zealand

[edit]
  • New Zealand Corps of Officer Cadets — vacant

Norway

[edit]
Sir Nils Olav (a king penguin) inspects troops of the Norwegian Royal Guard, of which he is Colonel-in-Chief

Papua New Guinea

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Norwegian Consulate in Edinburgh. Archived September 23, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ a b "Military penguin becomes a 'Sir'". BBC News. 15 August 2008. Retrieved 13 September 2015.
  3. ^ a b "Colonel-in-Chiefs belonging to the Hohenzollern Family".
  4. ^ "Granduchessa Maria Nikolaevna di Russia". Getty Images.
  5. ^ "Clarkson to be given military honour". Edmonton Journal. 4 February 2007. Archived from the original on April 18, 2008.
  6. ^ "GG's new role". Department of Defence. 31 May 2007. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04.
  7. ^ "Head of Regiment Order of the Day" (PDF). Royal Australian Artillery Historical Company. 11 August 2023. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
  8. ^ Canadian Army [@CanadianArmy] (11 August 2023). "Today, His Majesty King Charles III, King of Canada, has graciously announced that he will adopt the Royal Appointment of Captain General of The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery" (Tweet). Retrieved 1 March 2024 – via Twitter.
  9. ^ "New RNZA Captain General". The Royal New Zealand Artillery Association. 25 August 2023. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
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