Development of the monarchy
The monarch is Head of the Armed Forces. It’s the monarch alone who can declare war and peace. Which dates back to the times, when the monarch was responsible for raising, looking after and equipping the Army and Navy, and sometimes leading them into battle. However, these powers cannot now be exercised on the monarch’s own initiative. The Bill of Rights (1689) declared that “the raising or keeping of a standing army within the Kingdom in time of peace, unless it be with the consent of Parliament, is against the law”. Today, the Monarch cannot exercise these powers, except upon the advice of responsible Ministers.

The existences of the Army of whom were raised as different regiments by colonels, and historically they were not always loyal to the Government. The Royal Air Force are legally based on the Army and Air Force Acts of 1955 and previous Parliamentary Acts; their continued existence depends on annual Continuation Orders passed by Parliament.

When enlisting, the Acts require members of the Army, Air Force and Royal Marines to take an oath of allegiance to the monarch as Head of the Armed Forces. For those who it is against their religion to take oaths or don’t have a religion affirm instead. Formed hundreds of years ago, The Royal Navy existence comes form the sovereign’s prerogative, so members of the Navy have never been required to take the oath.

The oath of allegiance is sworn to the monarch, rather than to Parliament, which at times can be confusing depending on which political party is in power at the time. This reaffirmation of loyalty to the monarch, as Head of State, also makes sure that the loyalty of servicemen and women as serving members of the Armed Services (regardless of their personal political beliefs) is only given to the Country in the form of the Head of State and not given to any one political party.

The Queen takes a keen interest in all the Armed Services both in the United Kingdom and in the Commonwealth. She keeps in touch with the work and interests of the Services through the Chiefs of Staff and her Defence Services Secretary (a serving officer who is also a member of the Royal Household, who acts as the official link between The Queen, through her Private Secretary, and the Secretary of State for Defence).

The Queen is regularly briefed by her Ministers. As Princess Elizabeth, joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service in 1945. Making her, the first female member of the Royal Family to be a full-time active member of the Armed Services. Many royal Princes have received training in the Services; The Duke of Edinburgh and The Prince of Wales have served in the Royal Navy (The Prince also trained in the Royal Air Force as a pilot), and The Duke of York is a serving officer in the Royal Navy.

The Queen and many other members of the Royal Family hold appointments and honorary ranks in the Armed Services, in the United Kingdom and in the Commonwealth. These appointments include “special relationships” with certain ships, honorary colonelcies in Army regiments and corps, and honorary ranks linked with Royal Air Force stations.

To maintain the links the Royal Family take regular visits to Service establishments (on occasions such as passing out parades and the presentations of new Colours) and to ships when they are in port, to meet Servicemen and women of all ranks and their families, both in this country and overseas.