The Queen of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms holds multiple military ranks and titles. As the sovereign monarch, she is at the very top of the military chain of command in her realms.
Queen Elizabeth II has held numerous military ranks and titles throughout her long reign. She is the Commander-in-Chief of the British Armed Forces as well as the armed forces of other Commonwealth realms. The Queen also holds ceremonial titles and ranks in regiments and units across the military branches.
The Queen’s military roles and ranks reflect the crown’s constitutional position as head of state and formal head of the military. While ceremonial, these positions also come with important duties and responsibilities.
The Queen’s Military Ranks
As monarch, Queen Elizabeth II holds the highest rank possible in the British Armed Forces. Her formal title is Commander-in-Chief of the British Armed Forces. She also holds the position of Commander-in-Chief in another 15 countries where she is monarch including Australia, Canada, Jamaica, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea.
The Queen holds the rank of Admiral of the Fleet in the Royal Navy, Field Marshal in the British Army, and Marshal of the Royal Air Force in the Royal Air Force. These are the highest ranks possible in the three branches of the British Armed Forces.
In addition to these top positions, Queen Elizabeth II has honorary ranks and titles in many regiments and units of the Armed Forces. Some of her honorary colonel-in-chief and captain-general titles include:
- Colonel-in-Chief of the Grenadier Guards
- Colonel-in-Chief of the Coldstream Guards
- Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Regiment of Scotland
- Captain General of the Royal Marines
- Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Air Force Regiment
- Colonel-in-Chief of the King’s Royal Hussars
- Honorary Commodore-in-Chief of the Royal Navy Submarine Service
The Queen confers military knighthood honors including appointing individuals to the Order of the Bath, Order of the British Empire, and Order of St Michael and St George.
History of the Monarch’s Military Role
The monarch’s position as head of the Armed Forces has long been an important part of the crown’s constitutional duties. The role of Commander-in-Chief confers ultimate responsibility for the defense of the realm.
While mostly ceremonial today, in the past kings and queens played active military leadership roles. They led troops into battle, oversaw strategy, and directly commanded forces. The monarch’s military duties have become primarily symbolic over the past two centuries as democracies developed in many Commonwealth states.
Queen Elizabeth II is the only living head of state in the world today to have served in World War II. As Princess Elizabeth, she joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service in 1945. She trained as a driver and mechanic during the war.
Key Events in the Monarch’s Military History
Here are some important events that have shaped the monarch’s military position over the centuries:
- English monarchs led forces into battle during the Middle Ages. Richard III was the last to die in battle at Bosworth Field in 1485.
- The Bill of Rights of 1689 established parliamentary authority over aspects of the military. This curtailed the crown’s direct control of the Armed Forces.
- Reforms in the 18th and 19th centuries gave the prime minister and parliament greater authority over the military. However, the monarch retained the role of Commander-in-Chief.
- During World War I, George V oversaw strategy, visited troops, and conferred military honors.
- In World War II, George VI and Elizabeth II performed many key ceremonial military duties boosting morale and linking the monarchy to the war effort.
The Queen’s Duties as Head of the Armed Forces
While the Queen’s role as Commander-in-Chief is mostly ceremonial and constitutional today, she still performs important duties that uphold her formal military responsibilities.
Key Military Duties
- Appoints the prime minister’s choice of Secretary of State for Defence
- Approves appointments of senior officers
- Confers honors and awards
- Approves promotions of senior personnel
- Regularly meets with service chiefs and the Chief of the Defence Staff
- Visits regiments and military bases
- Attends troop reviews and overviews military exercises and operations
- Presents new colors to units
- Distributes operational medals
In addition, the Armed Forces Act mandates that all members of the Armed Forces must swear allegiance specifically to the monarch, not Parliament or the government.
Key Ceremonial Duties
- Trooping the Colour each June to celebrate the sovereign’s birthday
- Taking the salute at the State Opening of Parliament
- Presenting campaign medals
- Laying a wreath at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday
- Attending memorial services
- Awarding the Victoria Cross for valor
By performing these ceremonial duties, the Queen upholds important traditions that recognize service and sacrifice for the country.
The Queen’s Military Ranks in Other Commonwealth Realms
In addition to being Commander-in-Chief of the British Armed Forces, Queen Elizabeth II holds authority over the armies, navies, and air forces of the other 15 Commonwealth realms where she reigns as monarch.
The Queen holds the highest rank possible in the Armed Forces of these Commonwealth nations. This table summarizes the ranks she holds:
| Country | Army | Navy | Air Force |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antigua and Barbuda | Colonel-in-Chief | Admiral | Air Chief Marshal |
| Australia | Field Marshal | Admiral of the Fleet | Marshal of the Royal Australian Air Force |
| The Bahamas | Colonel-in-Chief | Admiral | Air Chief Marshal |
| Barbados | Colonel-in-Chief | Admiral | Air Chief Marshal |
| Belize | Colonel-in-Chief | Admiral | Air Chief Marshal |
| Canada | Field Marshal | Admiral | General |
| Grenada | Colonel-in-Chief | Admiral | Air Chief Marshal |
| Jamaica | Colonel-in-Chief | Admiral | Air Chief Marshal |
| New Zealand | Field Marshal | Admiral | Marshal of the Royal New Zealand Air Force |
| Papua New Guinea | Colonel-in-Chief | Admiral | Air Chief Marshal |
| Saint Kitts and Nevis | Colonel-in-Chief | Admiral | Air Chief Marshal |
| Saint Lucia | Colonel-in-Chief | Admiral | Air Chief Marshal |
| Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | Colonel-in-Chief | Admiral | Air Chief Marshal |
| Solomon Islands | Colonel-in-Chief | Admiral | Air Chief Marshal |
| Tuvalu | Colonel-in-Chief | Admiral | Air Chief Marshal |
The Queen takes her responsibilities as Commander-in-Chief of Commonwealth forces seriously. She wants to maintain strong ties between the crown and the military of nations she is monarch of.
Controversies Over the Queen’s Military Role
The Queen’s position as Commander-in-Chief has generated some controversies over the years. Critics see it as an obsolete tradition that grants unnecessary power to an unelected monarch.
However, defenders argue the role is highly symbolic and does not undermine civilian control of the military by elected officials. The Queen acts on the advice of the prime minister and the defence secretary when fulfilling military duties.
Australia 1975 Constitutional Crisis
In 1975, the Governor-General of Australia, Sir John Kerr, controversially used his reserve powers to dismiss Prime Minister Gough Whitlam and appoint opposition leader Malcolm Fraser as caretaker PM until elections could be held. Kerr cited the Queen’s authority as Commander-in-Chief and claimed to be acting on her behalf and in the national interest.
The Queen declined to intervene publicly in what she saw as an Australian constitutional matter. However, she privately expressed displeasure at not being forewarned of Kerr’s actions beforehand.
New Zealand Anti-Nuclear Policy Dispute
In the 1980s, New Zealand barred nuclear-armed or powered warships from entering its waters. This caused conflict with the United States. The Queen declined requests to intervene on behalf of the US and respected New Zealand’s sovereign right to implement this anti-nuclear policy.
Conclusion
Queen Elizabeth II occupies a unique position as both head of state and Commander-in-Chief of the military forces of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms. While largely ceremonial today, the monarch still performs important constitutional and symbolic duties that connect the Armed Forces directly to the crown.
The Queen has devoted her life to nation and duty, including upholding her obligations to the military. Her steadfast leadership continues to provide invaluable stability, continuity and tradition to the Armed Forces and veterans communities.