Changes in the Monarchy prompt changes in the Canadian Armed Forces

November 10, 2022 - Defence Stories

Canada’s military upheld a particularly close connection with Queen Elizabeth II, Canada’s longest reigning Sovereign. The Constitution assigns the Command-in-Chief of what is formally known as Her Majesty’s Canadian Armed Forces, to the Sovereign. During her reign, all members of the CAF swore an oath of allegiance to The Queen and officers received their authority to command and issue orders in the form of The Queen’s Commission.

Although the role of Commander-in-Chief was delegated to the Governor General, Her Majesty remained the symbolic head of the CAF and took a close and personal interest in the Canadian military, in which she held a number of honorary appointments as Captain General, Colonel-in-Chief or Air Commodore-in-Chief. Her late Majesty had a longstanding relationship with the CAF, beginning even before her accession to the throne in 1952, having previously accepted her first CAF appointments in 1947 when she was still a Princess. Throughout her reign, Her Majesty consistently worked to highlight the critical role of the CAF by visiting ships and military bases across the country, presiding over military ceremonies, laying wreaths at commemorative sites, attending military commemorative ceremonies, and meeting with Veterans.

References to the Crown permeate our institution and the impact of Queen Elizabeth II’s passing on the CAF is being reviewed. Some changes occurred immediately upon the accession of the new Sovereign, His Majesty King Charles III. These include commissioning scrolls, which will now be granted in the name of the King. The oath of allegiance is now sworn to the King. All RCN ships are now referred to as His Majesty’s Canadian Ships. Other regulations and orders will now reflect the King. His Majesty King Charles III also automatically assumed the title of Commander-in-Chief of the CAF in accordance with the Constitution.

Further changes and effects, including military patronages and honorary appointments, will be carefully considered by the affected units and the chain of command and implemented in due course. Patronages and appointments will not automatically transfer to the new Sovereign, but instead, will be submitted to the new Sovereign or other members of the Royal Family for consideration.

His Majesty King Charles III’s new Royal Cypher, released on September 28, 2022, represents his reign. It includes a different design for the Crown, often referred to as the Tudor Crown. Rideau Hall will work with all branches of the Government of Canada, including the CAF, with regards to changes in arms, flags, badges, and emblems, if deemed necessary, as a result of His Majesty’s decision.

For the immediate future, existing badges using the St. Edward’s Crown are entirely valid and are not considered to be out of date. They simply reflect the artistic style in use when they were created. The existing St. Edward’s Crown will continue to be included in new primary badge designs. CAF units and personnel are forbidden to change their badges or insignia on their own. Units should not alter images of their existing badges. Honours insignias bearing Queen Elizabeth II’s marks will remain forever valid, and will continue to be presented for now. The design of some honours insignias will eventually be amended upon completion of a multi-step process which will unfold over the years to come.

Decisions about the CAF’s badges and colours will be facilitated by the CAF’s Inspector of Badges and Colours, who is responsible to the Chief of the Defence Staff and liaises with the CAF’s Directorate of History and Heritage, and Rideau Hall’s Canadian Heraldic Authority.

The passing of Her late Majesty and the Accession of our new King mark a change in era but also illustrate the continuity built into our system of government. We have a new King and we shall continue to serve His Majesty with the same loyalty, professionalism and pride.