The Canadian Crown and the Canadian Forces
Encyclopedia
The place of the Canadian Crown in relation to the Canadian Armed Forces is both constitutional and ceremonial, the sovereign of Canada being the supreme commander of the forces, while he or she and the rest of the Canadian Royal Family hold honorary positions in various branches and regiments, embodying the historical relationship of the Crown to its militia. This modern construct stems from Canada's origins as a colony of the United Kingdom
and France
, through 200 years of associations with the Royal family, and is today evidenced through royal symbolism, such as crowns on military badges and coats of arms, as well as the bestowing of a royal prefix.
is established through both constitutional and statutory law; the National Defence Act states that "the Canadian Forces are the armed forces of Her Majesty raised by Canada," and the Constitution Act, 1867
, vests Command-in-Chief of those forces in the sovereign presently Queen Elizabeth II
though, the sovereign's representative, the Governor General of Canada
carries out the duties and bears the title of that position on the monarch's behalf. This arrangement is maintained to ensure that "the military is an agent for and not a master of the state." Since Canadian Confederation
, three members of the Royal Family have been titled as Commander-in-Chief: The Duke of Argyll
(1871 1883), Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn
(1911 1916), and The Earl of Athlone
(1940 1946).
With the monarch at the head of the Canadian Forces, all authority related to and within the military stems from the Crown; declarations of war
, the mobilisation of troops
, and the organisation of the forces all fall within the Royal Prerogative
, and the monarch issues letters patent
, known as the Queen's Commission, to create officers
between the rank of Second Lieutenant
and General
in the Canadian Army and the Royal Canadian Air Force
and between Acting Sub-Lieutenant and Admiral
in the Royal Canadian Navy
. Further, all regulations for the Canadian Forces are set out by the sovereign in the Queen's Regulations and Orders. As such, all new recruits into the military, navy, and air force are required to recite the Oath of Allegiance
to the monarch and his or her heirs and successors, and, according to the National Defence Act
, the uttering of disloyal words towards the reigning King or Queen is considered treason
ous and "disgraceful conduct"; Such offences may be punishable by up to seven years imprisonment. Neither the monarch nor the viceroy
, however, involve themselves in direct military command; per constitutional convention
, both must almost always exercise the Royal Prerogative on the advice
of the Cabinet
, though they do retain the right to unilaterally use those powers in crisis situations.
, navy
and air force
of the United Kingdom
, including those with royal elements. Contemporary icons and rituals, however, have evolved to include elements reflective of Canada and the Canadian monarchy. Members of the country's Royal Family also continue their two century old practice of maintaining personal relationships with the forces' divisions and regiments, around which the military has developed complex protocols.
as Colonel-in-Chief of Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry caused some controversy as a break with tradition. Acting as a patron
of sorts, the titles conferred include Colonel-in-Chief
, Captain General
, Commodore-in-Chief
, Admiral
, and others. and the holders will carry out a number of associated duties, such as attending regimental dinners, presenting new colours
, trooping the colour
, and field training exercise
s. Attendance and participation in these events may be at the direction of the Ministers of the Crown, or the regiment itself.
Many regiments of the Canadian Army have also been granted the use of the prefix royal in the regiment's name, while others bear the name of a member of the Royal Family.
Ceremony forms a key party of the Canadian Forces, and many rituals have a royal connection. For example, the military will traditionally mount what is known as the Queen's Guard
(or King's Guard during the reign of a male monarch), which is made up of contingents of infantry
and cavalry
soldiers who are charged with guarding the royal residences in Canada and the United Kingdom. Canada has mounted the King's/Queen's Guard eight times since 1916, including Coronation Contingents for King George VI
in May 1937 and for Queen Elizabeth II in May 1953. Other military ceremonies will have a member of the Royal Family present, such as at Trooping the Colour
s, inspections of the troops, and anniversaries of key battles. Whenever the sovereign or a member of her family is in Ottawa, they will lay a wreath at the National War Memorial
, which itself was dedicated in 1939 by King George VI, and will do the same if at a Canadian war monument overseas.
A number of honours available to members of the forces also have a link to the Crown, foremost because the Queen is viewed as the fount of honour
; her effigy
or a St. Edward's Crown
thus appear on the insignia of orders or on medals. Some honours and decorations are also granted to civilians, but a few are specifically awarded by the sovereign to her Canadian Forces personnel; these are: the Order of Military Merit
; the Victoria Cross
(named for its founder, Queen Victoria
), Star of Military Valour
, and Medal of Military Valour
; the military divisions of the Meritorious Service Cross
and Meritorious Service Medal
; and the war and operational service medals. Further, injury or death in action is recognised by the Sacrifice Medal
and Memorial Cross
, while acts of bravery or diligence on the battlefield are recognised by field commander reports to the sovereign, known as Mentioned in Despatches.
A number of flag
s and banners are used by the Canadian Forces to signify loyalty, nationality, departments, and/or specific events. One used throughout the military is the Royal Union Flag
, an official Canadian flag, which is displayed at formal ceremonies and on a few annual commemorative occasions must be flown by Canadian navy ships, when arrangements allow, while in Canadian waters as a display of allegiance to the Crown.
More specifically, unique Queen's Colours are presented to various regiments and departments to evoke the unit's loyalty to the Crown; mostly, these consist of the national flag
defaced with the regiment's or department's insignia
or the sovereign's royal cypher
in the centre, reflecting the custom established for infantry line regiments in the mid 18th century. Others, though, are more distinct; the Queen's Colour of the Royal Canadian Navy is a variation of the Canadian Naval Jack, being a white banner with the national in the canton
, the royal cypher in the centre, and the symbol of the navy in the lower fly, while the Queen's Colour of the Royal Canadian Air Force is similar to those of infantry regiments, consisting of a silk national flag with a red circlet on the maple leaf inscribed with the name of the command, surrounding the royal cypher, and ensigned with the royal crown. Authorization to possess a Queen's Colour may be granted, and the Colour presented, only by the Queen or the Governor General, and the colours must be dipped in the presence of the monarch or other members of the Royal Family.
Similarly, those in the Royal Family may present to a regiment a Royal Banner to commemorate specific services rendered and as a mark of royal favour. For example, Strathcona's Horse received a Royal Banner from King Edward VII
for their combat in South Africa
, and The Queen Mother
presented the Canadian Forces Medical Service
with a Royal Banner in 1985.
Other flags that are held by an individual also bear royal symbols. The Queen's Harbourmaster
, who is in charge of Canadian navy ship yards
, is accorded a flag that consists of a white-bordered national flag defaced in the centre with a white disc bearing a crown and the acronym
QHM/CPSM, for Queen's Harbour Master/Capitaine de port de Sa Majesté.
The finial
capping the tip of a flag pole carrying the Queen's Canadian standard
, Governor General's standard
, Queen's Colours, or other royal banners must be in the form of the crest of the Royal Arms of Canada.
can only be named for living or deceased members of the Canadian Royal Family, living or deceased former Governors General, and deceased distinguished persons.
All Canadian naval ships are designated with the prefix Her Majesty's Canadian Ship
(His Majesty's Canadian Ship in the reign of a king), or HMCS. These vessels must dress be decorated with signal flags
for specific royal occasions, including Accession Day
(6 February), the actual birthday of the monarch (presently 21 April), the official birthday of the monarch
(24 May), and the birthday of the Royal Consort (10 June).
To signify the sovereign's place at the head of the Canadian Forces, many badges include a crown in their design. Originally designed by the British King of Arms
, since 1968 they have been created by the Department of National Defence and then the Canadian Heraldic Authority
. Each primary badge of a branch, formation, or unit must be approved by the Governor General as titular Commander-in-Chief, since the monarch designated approval of new badges to the Governor General in the mid-1980s, though permission for use of royal titles and personal symbols such as the Crown must be personally approved by the sovereign. The Queen's Canadian Arms
and her Royal Cypher are also displayed throughout the forces, including on banners, badges, and military band instruments.
, which is the only one used in relation to the military, the monarch takes first place, followed by the Governor General, and then other members of the Royal Family. The provincial viceroys fall in at sixteenth on the list, behind the leader
of Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition
.
The Royal Anthem
of Canada, "God Save the Queen
," must be played after the giving of the Loyal Toast
, which is required at all formal mess
es, and toasts the health of the monarch. Members and officers are required to stand during the toast, and salute for the Royal Anthem; the latter requirement was challenged by Captain Aralt Mac Giolla Chainnigh (formerly Harold Kenny), an officer of Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry
and a professor at the Royal Military College
, who called the policy "degrading". Channigh was ultimately unsuccessful, being rebuked by the Canadian Forces Grievance Board, Chief of the Defence Staff
General Rick Hillier
, and the Federal Court of Canada
.
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As European colonization of the Americas
took place, the European explorers regarded some newly contacted indigenous chieftainships as a form of monarchy, wherein warriors were under the command of a hereditary chief
. However, though they may have been the holders of power, all chiefs were not necessarily free to mobilise troops without the consent of a council of elders, similar to the situation in a modern constitutional monarchy
; for example, in the Cherokee
nation, the approval of the council of women was required before war could be declared.
As the colonial population increased, those loyal to the Crown served as regular members of local militia groups
under the command of the relevant governor, who exercised the authority of either the French or British monarch. Until the Treaty of Paris
was signed in 1763, these groups would fight alongside First Nations who had offered their allegiance to the King back in Europe, often in order to wage war on their own enemy tribes who had allied themselves with the other sovereign. Once King Louis XV
surrendered his Canadian territories, members of the British Royal Family
began to serve in military postings in the colonies; from 1786 to 1887, Prince William Henry
(later King William IV) ventured to Canada's east coast as captain of HMS Pegasus in a Royal Navy
contingent, and his younger brother, Prince Edward, Duke of Kent
, was posted with the British Army
to Halifax
, where he acted as Commander-in-Chief, North America
between 1791 and 1798 and again from 1799 to 1800. During this period, at the end of the 18th into the beginning of the 19th centuries, the local militia were called upon to augment the British sovereign's forces in defending the colonies against attacks such as those in 1775
and 1812
from the United States
, which viewed the nearby monarchical presence as a threat to American republican ideologies
.
Following the formation of the Canadian federation in 1867, a proper military was formed for the new country. This new group was joined three years later by Prince Arthur
, who became the first royal to fight for Canada when the Fenian
s attempted to invade the country
; for his service, the Prince was awarded the Canadian General Service Medal with the Fenian Raid 1870 bar. By 1874, the Royal Military College of Canada
was established, with Queen Victoria's consent for the use of the royal prefix granted in 1878; and her grandson, King George V
gave the same permission for the Royal Canadian Navy
when it was created in 1911, as did his son, King Edward VII
, for the Royal Canadian Air Force
six years after it was established in 1918. It was in the new Canadian navy that a young Prince Albert
(later King George VI) served as a midshipman
for the duration of 1913.
declared that the British Empire
was at war with its German counterpart
. At the time, Canada had in Ottawa a royal viceroy in the form of Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn
; though well intended, the Prince donned his Field Marshal
's uniform and, without ministerial advice, went to military training grounds and barracks to address the troops and see them off on their voyage to Europe. This was much to the chagrin of the Prime Minister at the time, Robert Borden
, who saw the Governor General as overstepping constitutional conventions
. Though Borden blamed the Military Secretary of the day, Edward Stanton, he also opined that Prince Arthur "laboured under the handicap of his position as a member of the Royal Family and never realised his limitations as Governor General." Arthur's wife, Princess Louise Margaret, Duchess of Connaught, also helped in the war effort, forming volunteer groups to make supplies for Canadian soldiers overseas; for Christmas
in 1915, she sent a card and a box of maple sugar to every Canadian serving in Europe, and she had a knitting machine installed at Rideau Hall
, on which she made thousands of pairs of socks for soldiers. Princess Patricia
, the Connaught's daughter, became so active with the military that Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry
was in 1914 named in her honour; the Princess personally chose the infantry's colours, designed its badge, and was appointed as its Colonel-in-Chief at the cessation of hostilities in 1918.
Across the Atlantic
, Prince Edward
(later King Edward VIII) was serving on the Western Front
with the Canadian Expeditionary Corps
, his participation in the fighting establishing a popularity among veteran
s during the Prince's latter tours of Canada as Prince of Wales
. By 1936, Edward, as king, had taken up ceremonial military tasks, and became the first Canadian sovereign to do so solely on behalf of Canada when he dedicated the Canadian National Vimy Memorial
in France
. Following Edward's abdication that same year, his brother acceded to the throne as George VI
; for his coronation in the summer of 1937, the Canadian Coronation Contingent
was formed and sent to London
. Two year later, the King presided over a number of military ceremonies in Canada, including dedicating the National War Memorial
in Ottawa
, and presenting colours to regiments. By the end of that summer, however, the King had declared war on Nazi Germany
; unlike his father, George did this uniquely as King of Canada
, a week after he had done so as King of the United Kingdom.
To train troops and officers, the Royal Roads Military College
was established in British Columbia
, just outside Vancouver
, in the house that had been purchased as a wartime residence for the King, Queen, and their daughters. Though the family remained in London, they were still active in relation to Canada's troops; Queen Elizabeth
inspected the 1st Battalion of the Saskatoon Light Infantry in April 1940, and the following year presented the unit with gifts of socks, mittens, caps, pullovers, scarves, and helmets, as well as the unit's colours in October. Her daughter, Princess Elizabeth
(now Queen Elizabeth II), also undertook solo duties, such as reviewing a parade of Canadian airwomen in 1945. Two years following, the Princess was appointed by her father as Colonel-in-Chief of both Le Régiment de la Chaudière and the 48th Highlanders of Canada, her first appointments in the Canadian Forces. Other members of the Royal Family performed military duties in Canada during the war: Prince George, Duke of Kent
, did so in Manitoba in 1941, and the King's first cousin once removed, Princess Alice
, who was then serving as the Canadian viceregal consort
to the Governor General of Canada, was installed as Honorary Commandant of a number of women's military services.
, the Coronation Contingent was again mounted to participate in the 1953 coronation of Canada's new sovereign, Queen Elizabeth II. Not only did the forces now have a new Commander-in-Chief, but the post-war period saw major shifts in the structure of the Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Army, and Royal Canadian Air Force; by 1968, the unification of all three into the Canadian Forces
took effect at the recommendation of then Defence Minister, Paul Hellyer
, over the protests of many senior generals, admirals, and air marshalls. Though the National Defence Act
, which unified the services, said "[t]he Canadian Forces are the armed forces of Her Majesty raised by Canada," the royal prefix was not bestowed upon the new unified militia, and a number of royally designated corps were lost into newly designated services and branches; for example, the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps
and the Royal Canadian Dental Corps
became the Canadian Forces Medical Service
and Canadian Forces Dental Service, respectively, and the Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps
amalgamated with the supply and transport services of the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps
to become the Logistics Branch
. Not all the forces' links with the Crown, however, were lost; many of the regiments did retain their royal prefix, members of the Royal Family as their Colonel-in-Chief, and crowns on their badges and other insignia.
While continuing to train for combat, the Canadian Forces were mostly deployed on United Nations
peacekeeping operations following the Korean War, the role of the royals and viceroys to turning more towards observation and interaction, rather than morale boosting. These individuals, as Colonels-in-Chief, visited with forces personnel either in Canada or abroad, undertook various duties on behalf of the organization, and dedicated armed conflict and military memorials. During this period, Prince Charles
, like other Princes of Wales
before him, trained with the Canadian Forces at CFB Gagetown
in the 1970s, and his father's cousin, The Countess Mountbatten of Burma
, as Colonel-in-Chief of Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, visited with her troops on more than 45 occasions, at Canadian Forces bases and detachments across the country as well as overseas in Cyprus
, Croatia
, Bosnia and Herzegovina
, and Kosovo
. Later, in 1996, Queen Elizabeth II innagurated the Canadian War Memorial in Green Park
, London, just outside of Buckingham Palace
.
, and a number of casualties of that conflict, the forces came more into the public eye than it had been trough the previous two decades. Governor General Adrienne Clarkson won communal praise for boosting Canadians' pride in the armed forces, spending Christmasses and New Year
s with forces personnel in Afghanistan
and the Persian Gulf
, and earning herself a special tribute from the Canadian Forces upon her retirement from the Queen's service in 2005. This was the same year that saw the 60th anniversary of D-Day
commemorated at Juno Beach
, in the presence of the Queen, Clarkson, and Prince Charles. Also, Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex
, visited with the Saskatchewan Dragoons
, of which he is Colonel-in-Chief, in Belgium
, where in 2007 the Queen attended the 90th anniversary of the Battle of Passchendaele. In April of that year, the Queen marked another major military anniversary when she re-dedicated the Canadian Vimy Memorial on the 90th anniversary of the battle it commemorates, following in the footsteps of her uncle, King Edward VIII. She was accompanied by her husband, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
, who was dressed in the uniform of the Royal Canadian Regiment
, which both fought at Vimy Ridge and had just the day previous lost six members during combat operations
in Afghanistan.
On 17 May 2007, an online
petition, sponsored by Member of Parliament Laurie Hawn
, was issued seeking grassroots
support for the Maritime Command and Air Command to be renamed as the Royal Canadian Navy and Royal Canadian Air Force, respectively, for the navy's 100th anniversary in 2010; since the royal designation was originally granted by Royal Proclamations that have never been revoked, if the terms Canadian Navy and Canadian Air Force were to ever again be used in an official capacity, they would be required to have the word royal preceding them. Also in 2007, the Collège militaire royal (CMR) in St-Jean Sur Richelieu (first opened in 1952 as a bilingual educational institution under the jurisdiction of the Royal Canadian Air Force, and then closed in 1995 due to cuts to the Department of National Defence's operating budget) was reopened to handle an influx of new recruits. And, by June of that year, it was reported that Prince Harry, then third in line to the Canadian throne, had arrived in Alberta
to train, along with other soldiers of the Canadian and British
armies, at CFB
Suffield
, near Medicie Hat
, before a tour of duty
in Afghanistan. At the same time, Harry's aunt, the Princess Royal
, was in Saskatchewan
undertaking duties as Colonel-in-Chief of The Royal Regina Rifles
, marking their centennial, as well as to open the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Heritage Centre.
On 4 November 2008, the Queen launched at Canada House
in London
Vigil 1914-1918, a coordinated light and media display on the facades of Canada house and buildings in six Canadian cities of the name of each of the approximately 68,000 Canadians who died in World War I; there the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh met with First World War veterans as well as Canadians returned from Afghanistan. Almost one year later, Prince Charles officiated at the Remembrance Day
ceremonies at the National War Memorial in Ottawa and, in early March 2010, the Princess Royal
visited with Canadian troops at Camp Bastion
in Afghanistan, as Prince Andrew, Duke of York
, had done in 2008, when he presented colours to and lunched with the Royal Highland Fusiliers in Lashkar Gah. The Prince of Wales then met with Canadian troops, amongst others from the Commonwealth, in Afghanistan on 24 March 2010.
2010 saw the death of the last Canadian veteran of World War I and, on the anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge
, Queen Elizabeth II issued in April of that year a statement marking the two events, stating: "As proud and grateful Canadians, we pause today to mark not only the ninety-third anniversary of this Nation's victory at Vimy Ridge but also to pay tribute to the passing of a truly remarkable generation who helped to end the most terrible conflict the world had ever known." A few months later, on 29 June, the Queen marked the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Royal Canadian Navy by conducting a fleet review at the Bedford Basin
; the event was attended by ships of the Canadian Maritime Command, Brazilian Navy, Royal Danish Navy, French Navy, German Navy, Royal Netherlands Navy, Royal Navy and United States Navy.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, through 200 years of associations with the Royal family, and is today evidenced through royal symbolism, such as crowns on military badges and coats of arms, as well as the bestowing of a royal prefix.
Role in command
The role of the Canadian Crown in the Canadian Armed ForcesCanadian Forces
The Canadian Forces , officially the Canadian Armed Forces , are the unified armed forces of Canada, as constituted by the National Defence Act, which states: "The Canadian Forces are the armed forces of Her Majesty raised by Canada and consist of one Service called the Canadian Armed Forces."...
is established through both constitutional and statutory law; the National Defence Act states that "the Canadian Forces are the armed forces of Her Majesty raised by Canada," and the Constitution Act, 1867
Constitution Act, 1867
The Constitution Act, 1867 , is a major part of Canada's Constitution. The Act created a federal dominion and defines much of the operation of the Government of Canada, including its federal structure, the House of Commons, the Senate, the justice system, and the taxation system...
, vests Command-in-Chief of those forces in the sovereign presently Queen Elizabeth II
Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom
Elizabeth II is the constitutional monarch of 16 sovereign states known as the Commonwealth realms: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize,...
though, the sovereign's representative, the Governor General of Canada
Governor General of Canada
The Governor General of Canada is the federal viceregal representative of the Canadian monarch, Queen Elizabeth II...
carries out the duties and bears the title of that position on the monarch's behalf. This arrangement is maintained to ensure that "the military is an agent for and not a master of the state." Since Canadian Confederation
Canadian Confederation
Canadian Confederation was the process by which the federal Dominion of Canada was formed on July 1, 1867. On that day, three British colonies were formed into four Canadian provinces...
, three members of the Royal Family have been titled as Commander-in-Chief: The Duke of Argyll
John Campbell, 9th Duke of Argyll
John George Edward Henry Douglas Sutherland Campbell, 9th Duke of Argyll KG, KT, GCMG, GCVO, VD, PC , usually better known by the courtesy title Marquess of Lorne, by which he was known between 1847 and 1900, was a British nobleman and was the fourth Governor General of Canada from 1878 to 1883...
(1871 1883), Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn
Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn
Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn was a member of the shared British and Saxe-Coburg and Gotha royal family who served as the Governor General of Canada, the 10th since Canadian Confederation.Born the seventh child and third son of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and...
(1911 1916), and The Earl of Athlone
Alexander Cambridge, 1st Earl of Athlone
Major-General Alexander Augustus Frederick William Alfred George Cambridge, 1st Earl of Athlone , was a close relative of the shared British and Canadian royal family, as well as a British military commander and major-general who served as Governor-General of the Union of South Africa, the...
(1940 1946).
With the monarch at the head of the Canadian Forces, all authority related to and within the military stems from the Crown; declarations of war
Declaration of war
A declaration of war is a formal act by which one nation goes to war against another. The declaration is a performative speech act by an authorized party of a national government in order to create a state of war between two or more states.The legality of who is competent to declare war varies...
, the mobilisation of troops
Mobilization
Mobilization is the act of assembling and making both troops and supplies ready for war. The word mobilization was first used, in a military context, in order to describe the preparation of the Prussian army during the 1850s and 1860s. Mobilization theories and techniques have continuously changed...
, and the organisation of the forces all fall within the Royal Prerogative
Royal Prerogative
The royal prerogative is a body of customary authority, privilege, and immunity, recognized in common law and, sometimes, in civil law jurisdictions possessing a monarchy as belonging to the sovereign alone. It is the means by which some of the executive powers of government, possessed by and...
, and the monarch issues letters patent
Letters patent
Letters patent are a type of legal instrument in the form of a published written order issued by a monarch or president, generally granting an office, right, monopoly, title, or status to a person or corporation...
, known as the Queen's Commission, to create officers
Officer (armed forces)
An officer is a member of an armed force or uniformed service who holds a position of authority. Commissioned officers derive authority directly from a sovereign power and, as such, hold a commission charging them with the duties and responsibilities of a specific office or position...
between the rank of Second Lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces.- United Kingdom and Commonwealth :The rank second lieutenant was introduced throughout the British Army in 1871 to replace the rank of ensign , although it had long been used in the Royal Artillery, Royal...
and General
General
A general officer is an officer of high military rank, usually in the army, and in some nations, the air force. The term is widely used by many nations of the world, and when a country uses a different term, there is an equivalent title given....
in the Canadian Army and the Royal Canadian Air Force
Royal Canadian Air Force
The history of the Royal Canadian Air Force begins in 1920, when the air force was created as the Canadian Air Force . In 1924 the CAF was renamed the Royal Canadian Air Force and granted royal sanction by King George V. The RCAF existed as an independent service until 1968...
and between Acting Sub-Lieutenant and Admiral
Admiral
Admiral is the rank, or part of the name of the ranks, of the highest naval officers. It is usually considered a full admiral and above vice admiral and below admiral of the fleet . It is usually abbreviated to "Adm" or "ADM"...
in the Royal Canadian Navy
Royal Canadian Navy
The history of the Royal Canadian Navy goes back to 1910, when the naval force was created as the Naval Service of Canada and renamed a year later by King George V. The Royal Canadian Navy is one of the three environmental commands of the Canadian Forces...
. Further, all regulations for the Canadian Forces are set out by the sovereign in the Queen's Regulations and Orders. As such, all new recruits into the military, navy, and air force are required to recite the Oath of Allegiance
Oath of Allegiance (Canada)
The Canadian Oath of Allegiance is a promise or declaration of fealty to the Canadian monarch, taken, along with other specific oaths of office, by new occupants of various government positions, including federal and provincial viceroys, appointees to the Queen's Privy Council, Supreme Court...
to the monarch and his or her heirs and successors, and, according to the National Defence Act
National Defence Act
The National Defence Act is the primary enabling legislation for organizing and funding Canada's military....
, the uttering of disloyal words towards the reigning King or Queen is considered treason
Treason
In law, treason is the crime that covers some of the more extreme acts against one's sovereign or nation. Historically, treason also covered the murder of specific social superiors, such as the murder of a husband by his wife. Treason against the king was known as high treason and treason against a...
ous and "disgraceful conduct"; Such offences may be punishable by up to seven years imprisonment. Neither the monarch nor the viceroy
Viceroy
A viceroy is a royal official who runs a country, colony, or province in the name of and as representative of the monarch. The term derives from the Latin prefix vice-, meaning "in the place of" and the French word roi, meaning king. A viceroy's province or larger territory is called a viceroyalty...
, however, involve themselves in direct military command; per constitutional convention
Constitutional convention (political custom)
A constitutional convention is an informal and uncodified procedural agreement that is followed by the institutions of a state. In some states, notably those Commonwealth of Nations states that follow the Westminster system and whose political systems derive from British constitutional law, most...
, both must almost always exercise the Royal Prerogative on the advice
Advice (constitutional)
Advice, in constitutional law, is formal, usually binding, instruction given by one constitutional officer of state to another. Especially in parliamentary systems of government, Heads of state often act on the basis of advice issued by prime ministers or other government ministers...
of the Cabinet
Cabinet of Canada
The Cabinet of Canada is a body of ministers of the Crown that, along with the Canadian monarch, and within the tenets of the Westminster system, forms the government of Canada...
, though they do retain the right to unilaterally use those powers in crisis situations.
Symbolism and traditions
The Canadian Forces have derived many of their traditions and symbols from the militaryBritish Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
, navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
and air force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
of the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, including those with royal elements. Contemporary icons and rituals, however, have evolved to include elements reflective of Canada and the Canadian monarchy. Members of the country's Royal Family also continue their two century old practice of maintaining personal relationships with the forces' divisions and regiments, around which the military has developed complex protocols.
Honorary appointments
Members of the Royal Family are regularly appointed by the monarch, or the monarch will appoint him or herself, to an honorary rank within an army regiment or air force or navy branch; a practice that originated with the first regiments of the Canadian army, and was instituted to reinforce a regiment's loyalty to the Crown via a personal relationship with a member of the Royal Family. Though non-royals have been appointed as Colonels-in-Chief, the practice is rare, and the placement of former Governor General Adrienne ClarksonAdrienne Clarkson
Adrienne Louise Clarkson is a Canadian journalist and stateswoman who served as Governor General of Canada, the 26th since Canadian Confederation....
as Colonel-in-Chief of Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry caused some controversy as a break with tradition. Acting as a patron
Patrón
Patrón is a luxury brand of tequila produced in Mexico and sold in hand-blown, individually numbered bottles.Made entirely from Blue Agave "piñas" , Patrón comes in five varieties: Silver, Añejo, Reposado, Gran Patrón Platinum and Gran Patrón Burdeos. Patrón also sells a tequila-coffee blend known...
of sorts, the titles conferred include Colonel-in-Chief
Colonel-in-Chief
In the various Commonwealth armies, the Colonel-in-Chief of a regiment is its patron. This position is distinct from that of Colonel of the Regiment. They do not have an operational role. They are however kept informed of all important activities of the regiment, and pay occasional visits to its...
, Captain General
Captain General
Captain general is a high military rank and a gubernatorial title.-History:This term Captain General started to appear in the 14th century, with the meaning of commander in chief of an army in the field, probably the first usage of the term General in military settings...
, Commodore-in-Chief
Commodore-in-Chief
Commodore-in-Chief is an honorary Royal Navy appointment bestowed by the Queen on various members of the Royal Family on 8 August 2006.Previously there have been honorary Royal Colonels in the British Army and honorary Air Commodores in the Royal Air Force, but no parallel affiliations with the...
, Admiral
Admiral
Admiral is the rank, or part of the name of the ranks, of the highest naval officers. It is usually considered a full admiral and above vice admiral and below admiral of the fleet . It is usually abbreviated to "Adm" or "ADM"...
, and others. and the holders will carry out a number of associated duties, such as attending regimental dinners, presenting new colours
Colours, standards and guidons
In military organizations, the practice of carrying colours, standards or Guidons, both to act as a rallying point for troops and to mark the location of the commander, is thought to have originated in Ancient Egypt some 5,000 years ago...
, trooping the colour
Trooping the Colour
Trooping the Colour is a ceremony performed by regiments of the British and the Commonwealth armies. It has been a tradition of British infantry regiments since the 17th century, although the roots go back much earlier. On battlefields, a regiment's colours, or flags, were used as rallying points...
, and field training exercise
Field training exercise
A Field training exercise, generally shortened to the acronym "FTX", describes a highly coordinated and well planned exercise conducted by military units for training purposes.-FTX's in Active Duty:...
s. Attendance and participation in these events may be at the direction of the Ministers of the Crown, or the regiment itself.
Many regiments of the Canadian Army have also been granted the use of the prefix royal in the regiment's name, while others bear the name of a member of the Royal Family.
Ceremonies and honours
- See also: Commonwealth Units to have mounted the King's/Queen's Guard
Ceremony forms a key party of the Canadian Forces, and many rituals have a royal connection. For example, the military will traditionally mount what is known as the Queen's Guard
Queen's Guard
The Queen's Guard and Queen's Life Guard are the names given to contingents of infantry and cavalry soldiers charged with guarding the official royal residences in London...
(or King's Guard during the reign of a male monarch), which is made up of contingents of infantry
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
and cavalry
Cavalry
Cavalry or horsemen were soldiers or warriors who fought mounted on horseback. Cavalry were historically the third oldest and the most mobile of the combat arms...
soldiers who are charged with guarding the royal residences in Canada and the United Kingdom. Canada has mounted the King's/Queen's Guard eight times since 1916, including Coronation Contingents for King George VI
George VI of the United Kingdom
George VI was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth from 11 December 1936 until his death...
in May 1937 and for Queen Elizabeth II in May 1953. Other military ceremonies will have a member of the Royal Family present, such as at Trooping the Colour
Trooping the Colour
Trooping the Colour is a ceremony performed by regiments of the British and the Commonwealth armies. It has been a tradition of British infantry regiments since the 17th century, although the roots go back much earlier. On battlefields, a regiment's colours, or flags, were used as rallying points...
s, inspections of the troops, and anniversaries of key battles. Whenever the sovereign or a member of her family is in Ottawa, they will lay a wreath at the National War Memorial
National War Memorial (Canada)
The National War Memorial , is a tall granite cenotaph with acreted bronze sculptures, that stands in Confederation Square, Ottawa, and serves as the federal war memorial for Canada....
, which itself was dedicated in 1939 by King George VI, and will do the same if at a Canadian war monument overseas.
Fount of honour
The fount of honour refers to a nation's head of state, who, by virtue of his or her official position, has the exclusive right of conferring legitimate titles of nobility and orders of chivalry to other persons.- Origin :...
; her effigy
Effigy
An effigy is a representation of a person, especially in the form of sculpture or some other three-dimensional form.The term is usually associated with full-length figures of a deceased person depicted in stone or wood on church monuments. These most often lie supine with hands together in prayer,...
or a St. Edward's Crown
St. Edward's Crown
St Edward's Crown was one of the English Crown Jewels and remains one of the senior British Crown Jewels, being the official coronation crown used in the coronation of first English, then British, and finally Commonwealth realms monarchs...
thus appear on the insignia of orders or on medals. Some honours and decorations are also granted to civilians, but a few are specifically awarded by the sovereign to her Canadian Forces personnel; these are: the Order of Military Merit
Order of Military Merit (Canada)
The Order of Military Merit is a military honour for merit that is, within the Canadian system of honours, the second highest order administered by the Governor General-in-Council, on behalf of the Queen of Canada...
; the Victoria Cross
Victoria Cross (Canada)
The Victoria Cross is a military decoration of Canada modelled on the original British Victoria Cross—instituted in 1856—in both intent and appearance, with several small changes...
(named for its founder, Queen Victoria
Victoria of the United Kingdom
Victoria was the monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 20 June 1837 until her death. From 1 May 1876, she used the additional title of Empress of India....
), Star of Military Valour
Star of Military Valour
The Star of Military Valour is a decoration that is, within the Canadian system of honours, the second highest award for military valour, and one of three honours for military valour gifted by the Canadian monarch, generally through his or her viceroy-in-Council...
, and Medal of Military Valour
Medal of Military Valour
The Medal of Military Valour is a decoration that is, within the Canadian system of honours, the third highest award for military valour, and one of three honours for military valour gifted by the Canadian monarch, generally through his or her viceroy-in-Council...
; the military divisions of the Meritorious Service Cross
Meritorious Service Cross
The Meritorious Service Cross is a decoration that is, within the Canadian system of honours, one of the two Meritorious Service Decorations gifted by the Canadian monarch, generally through his or her viceroy-in-Council...
and Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal (Canada)
The Meritorious Service Medal is a decoration that is, within the Canadian system of honours, one of the two Meritorious Service Decorations gifted by the Canadian monarch, generally through his or her viceroy-in-Council...
; and the war and operational service medals. Further, injury or death in action is recognised by the Sacrifice Medal
Sacrifice Medal
The Sacrifice Medal is a decoration that was created in 2008 as a replacement for the Wound Stripe, being gifted by the Canadian monarch, generally through his or her viceroy-in-Council, to members of the Canadian Forces or allied forces who were wounded or killed in action.-Design:The Sacrifice...
and Memorial Cross
Memorial Cross
The Memorial Cross , often known as the Silver Cross, is a Canadian medal awarded to the mother, widow, widower, or next of kin of any member of the Canadian Forces who loses his or her life in active service, including peacekeeping, and other such international operations.-Design:The Memorial...
, while acts of bravery or diligence on the battlefield are recognised by field commander reports to the sovereign, known as Mentioned in Despatches.
Flags
Flag
A flag is a piece of fabric with a distinctive design that is usually rectangular and used as a symbol, as a signaling device, or decoration. The term flag is also used to refer to the graphic design employed by a flag, or to its depiction in another medium.The first flags were used to assist...
s and banners are used by the Canadian Forces to signify loyalty, nationality, departments, and/or specific events. One used throughout the military is the Royal Union Flag
Union Flag
The Union Flag, also known as the Union Jack, is the flag of the United Kingdom. It retains an official or semi-official status in some Commonwealth Realms; for example, it is known as the Royal Union Flag in Canada. It is also used as an official flag in some of the smaller British overseas...
, an official Canadian flag, which is displayed at formal ceremonies and on a few annual commemorative occasions must be flown by Canadian navy ships, when arrangements allow, while in Canadian waters as a display of allegiance to the Crown.
More specifically, unique Queen's Colours are presented to various regiments and departments to evoke the unit's loyalty to the Crown; mostly, these consist of the national flag
Flag of Canada
The national flag of Canada, also known as the Maple Leaf, and , is a red flag with a white square in its centre, featuring a stylized 11-pointed red maple leaf. Its adoption in 1965 marked the first time a national flag had been officially adopted in Canada to replace the Union Flag...
defaced with the regiment's or department's insignia
Cap badge
A cap badge, also known as head badge or hat badge, is a badge worn on uniform headgear and distinguishes the wearer's nationality and/or organisation. The wearing of cap badges is a convention commonly found among military and police forces, as well as uniformed civilian groups such as the Boy...
or the sovereign's royal cypher
Royal Cypher
In modern heraldry, a royal cypher is a monogram-like device of a country's reigning sovereign, typically consisting of the initials of the monarch's name and title, sometimes interwoven and often surmounted by a crown. In the case where such a cypher is used by an emperor or empress, it is called...
in the centre, reflecting the custom established for infantry line regiments in the mid 18th century. Others, though, are more distinct; the Queen's Colour of the Royal Canadian Navy is a variation of the Canadian Naval Jack, being a white banner with the national in the canton
Flag terminology
Flag terminology is a jargon used in vexillology, the study of flags, to describe precisely the parts, patterns, and other attributes of flags and their display.-Description of standard flag parts and terms:...
, the royal cypher in the centre, and the symbol of the navy in the lower fly, while the Queen's Colour of the Royal Canadian Air Force is similar to those of infantry regiments, consisting of a silk national flag with a red circlet on the maple leaf inscribed with the name of the command, surrounding the royal cypher, and ensigned with the royal crown. Authorization to possess a Queen's Colour may be granted, and the Colour presented, only by the Queen or the Governor General, and the colours must be dipped in the presence of the monarch or other members of the Royal Family.
Similarly, those in the Royal Family may present to a regiment a Royal Banner to commemorate specific services rendered and as a mark of royal favour. For example, Strathcona's Horse received a Royal Banner from King Edward VII
Edward VII of the United Kingdom
Edward VII was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions and Emperor of India from 22 January 1901 until his death in 1910...
for their combat in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, and The Queen Mother
Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon
Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon was the queen consort of King George VI from 1936 until her husband's death in 1952, after which she was known as Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, to avoid confusion with her daughter, Queen Elizabeth II...
presented the Canadian Forces Medical Service
Canadian Forces Medical Service
The Canadian Forces Medical Service provides medical support for the Canadian Forces both at home and abroad. It is also a personnel branch of the CF...
with a Royal Banner in 1985.
Other flags that are held by an individual also bear royal symbols. The Queen's Harbourmaster
Harbourmaster
A harbourmaster is an official responsible for enforcing the regulations of a particular harbour or port, in order to ensure the safety of navigation, the security of the harbour and the correct operation of the port facilities.-Responsibilities:Harbourmasters are normally responsible for issuing...
, who is in charge of Canadian navy ship yards
Harbor
A harbor or harbour , or haven, is a place where ships, boats, and barges can seek shelter from stormy weather, or else are stored for future use. Harbors can be natural or artificial...
, is accorded a flag that consists of a white-bordered national flag defaced in the centre with a white disc bearing a crown and the acronym
Acronym and initialism
Acronyms and initialisms are abbreviations formed from the initial components in a phrase or a word. These components may be individual letters or parts of words . There is no universal agreement on the precise definition of the various terms , nor on written usage...
QHM/CPSM, for Queen's Harbour Master/Capitaine de port de Sa Majesté.
The finial
Finial
The finial is an architectural device, typically carved in stone and employed decoratively to emphasize the apex of a gable or any of various distinctive ornaments at the top, end, or corner of a building or structure. Smaller finials can be used as a decorative ornament on the ends of curtain rods...
capping the tip of a flag pole carrying the Queen's Canadian standard
Queen's Personal Canadian Flag
The royal standards of Canada are personal standards, or official flags, employed to mark the presence of the bearer at any building or area or aboard any car, ship, or airplane, both in Canada and abroad. There are three royal standards, one each for the monarch, the Prince of Wales, and the Duke...
, Governor General's standard
Flag of the Governor General of Canada
The Flag of the Governor General of Canada was adopted in 1981. It features Canada's royal crest; a crowned lion holding a red maple leaf in its paw, standing on a wreath of the official colours of Canada , on a blue background...
, Queen's Colours, or other royal banners must be in the form of the crest of the Royal Arms of Canada.
Infrastructure
Buildings, installations, and geographical features related to the Canadian Forces or Department of National DefenceDepartment of National Defence (Canada)
The Department of National Defence , frequently referred to by its acronym DND, is the department within the government of Canada with responsibility for all matters concerning the defence of Canada...
can only be named for living or deceased members of the Canadian Royal Family, living or deceased former Governors General, and deceased distinguished persons.
All Canadian naval ships are designated with the prefix Her Majesty's Canadian Ship
Her Majesty's Canadian Ship
The designation Her Majesty's Canadian Ship , is applied as a prefix to any Canadian Forces warship. In the reign of a king, the designation changes to His Majesty's Canadian Ship; the French version of the title remains unchanged in this instance...
(His Majesty's Canadian Ship in the reign of a king), or HMCS. These vessels must dress be decorated with signal flags
International maritime signal flags
The system of international maritime signal flags is one system of flag signals representing individual letters of the alphabet in signals to or from ships...
for specific royal occasions, including Accession Day
Accession Day
An Accession Day is the anniversary of the date on which a monarch succeeds to the throne upon the death of the previous monarch.-Monarchy:The custom of marking this day was inaugurated during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I of England....
(6 February), the actual birthday of the monarch (presently 21 April), the official birthday of the monarch
Victoria Day
Victoria Day is a federal Canadian public holiday celebrated on the last Monday before May 25, in honour of Queen Victoria's birthday. The date is also, simultaneously, that on which the current reigning Canadian sovereign's official birthday is recognized...
(24 May), and the birthday of the Royal Consort (10 June).
Crests and badges
King of Arms
King of Arms is the senior rank of an officer of arms. In many heraldic traditions, only a king of arms has the authority to grant armorial bearings. In other traditions, the power has been delegated to other officers of similar rank.-Heraldic duties:...
, since 1968 they have been created by the Department of National Defence and then the Canadian Heraldic Authority
Canadian Heraldic Authority
The Canadian Heraldic Authority is part of the Canadian honours system under the Queen of Canada, whose authority is exercised by the Governor General. The Authority is responsible for the creation and granting of new coats of arms , flags and badges for Canadian citizens, permanent residents and...
. Each primary badge of a branch, formation, or unit must be approved by the Governor General as titular Commander-in-Chief, since the monarch designated approval of new badges to the Governor General in the mid-1980s, though permission for use of royal titles and personal symbols such as the Crown must be personally approved by the sovereign. The Queen's Canadian Arms
Coat of arms of Canada
The Arms of Canada is, since 1921, the official coat of arms of the Canadian monarch, and thus also of Canada...
and her Royal Cypher are also displayed throughout the forces, including on banners, badges, and military band instruments.
Protocols
Ceremonies and rank structures within the forces rely on an order of precedence for organising participants and according respect and honours. In the order of precedenceCanadian order of precedence
The Canadian order of precedence is a nominal and symbolic hierarchy of important positions within the Government of Canada. It has no legal standing but is used to dictate ceremonial protocol....
, which is the only one used in relation to the military, the monarch takes first place, followed by the Governor General, and then other members of the Royal Family. The provincial viceroys fall in at sixteenth on the list, behind the leader
Leader of the Opposition (Canada)
The Leader of Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition , or simply the Leader of the Opposition is the leader of Canada's Official Opposition, the party with the most seats in the House of Commons that is not a member of the government...
of Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition
Official Opposition (Canada)
In Canada, Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition , commonly known as the Official Opposition, is usually the largest parliamentary opposition party in the House of Commons or a provincial legislative assembly that is not in government, either on its own or as part of a governing coalition...
.
The Royal Anthem
Honors music
The honours music for a person, office or rank is music played on formal or ceremonial occasions in the presence of the person, office-holder, or rank-holder, especially by a military band...
of Canada, "God Save the Queen
God Save the Queen
"God Save the Queen" is an anthem used in a number of Commonwealth realms and British Crown Dependencies. The words of the song, like its title, are adapted to the gender of the current monarch, with "King" replacing "Queen", "he" replacing "she", and so forth, when a king reigns...
," must be played after the giving of the Loyal Toast
Loyal toast
A loyal toast is a salute given to the head of state of the country in which a formal gathering is being given, or by expatriates of that country, whether or not the particular head of state is present. It is usually a matter of protocol at state and military occasions, and a display of patriotic...
, which is required at all formal mess
Mess
A mess is the place where military personnel socialise, eat, and live. In some societies this military usage has extended to other disciplined services eateries such as civilian fire fighting and police forces. The root of mess is the Old French mes, "portion of food" A mess (also called a...
es, and toasts the health of the monarch. Members and officers are required to stand during the toast, and salute for the Royal Anthem; the latter requirement was challenged by Captain Aralt Mac Giolla Chainnigh (formerly Harold Kenny), an officer of Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry
Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry
Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry is one of the three regular force infantry regiments of the Canadian Army. The regiment is composed of four battalions including a primary reserve battalion, for a total of 2,000 soldiers...
and a professor at the Royal Military College
Royal Military College of Canada
The Royal Military College of Canada, RMC, or RMCC , is the military academy of the Canadian Forces, and is a degree-granting university. RMC was established in 1876. RMC is the only federal institution in Canada with degree granting powers...
, who called the policy "degrading". Channigh was ultimately unsuccessful, being rebuked by the Canadian Forces Grievance Board, Chief of the Defence Staff
Chief of the Defence Staff (Canada)
The Chief of the Defence Staff is the second most senior member of the Canadian Forces, and heads the Armed Forces Council, having primary responsibility for command, control, and administration of the forces, as well as military strategy, plans, and requirements...
General Rick Hillier
Rick Hillier
General Rick Hillier, CMM, MSC, CD , is the former Chief of the Defence Staff of the Canadian Forces. He held this appointment from February 4, 2005 to July 1, 2008. He retired on July 1, 2008, and was replaced by former Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff Walter Natynczyk...
, and the Federal Court of Canada
Federal Court of Canada
The Federal Court of Canada was a national court of Canada that heard some types of disputes arising under the central government's legislative jurisdiction...
.
Colonies & Confederation
European colonization of the Americas
The start of the European colonization of the Americas is typically dated to 1492. The first Europeans to reach the Americas were the Vikings during the 11th century, who established several colonies in Greenland and one short-lived settlement in present day Newfoundland...
took place, the European explorers regarded some newly contacted indigenous chieftainships as a form of monarchy, wherein warriors were under the command of a hereditary chief
Tribal chief
A tribal chief is the leader of a tribal society or chiefdom. Tribal societies with social stratification under a single leader emerged in the Neolithic period out of earlier tribal structures with little stratification, and they remained prevalent throughout the Iron Age.In the case of ...
. However, though they may have been the holders of power, all chiefs were not necessarily free to mobilise troops without the consent of a council of elders, similar to the situation in a modern constitutional monarchy
Constitutional monarchy
Constitutional monarchy is a form of government in which a monarch acts as head of state within the parameters of a constitution, whether it be a written, uncodified or blended constitution...
; for example, in the Cherokee
Cherokee
The Cherokee are a Native American people historically settled in the Southeastern United States . Linguistically, they are part of the Iroquoian language family...
nation, the approval of the council of women was required before war could be declared.
As the colonial population increased, those loyal to the Crown served as regular members of local militia groups
Colonial militia in Canada
From the founding of New France until the establishment of a professional Canadian Army, the colonial militia played an extremely important role in the defence of Canada...
under the command of the relevant governor, who exercised the authority of either the French or British monarch. Until the Treaty of Paris
Treaty of Paris (1763)
The Treaty of Paris, often called the Peace of Paris, or the Treaty of 1763, was signed on 10 February 1763, by the kingdoms of Great Britain, France and Spain, with Portugal in agreement. It ended the French and Indian War/Seven Years' War...
was signed in 1763, these groups would fight alongside First Nations who had offered their allegiance to the King back in Europe, often in order to wage war on their own enemy tribes who had allied themselves with the other sovereign. Once King Louis XV
Louis XV of France
Louis XV was a Bourbon monarch who ruled as King of France and of Navarre from 1 September 1715 until his death. He succeeded his great-grandfather at the age of five, his first cousin Philippe II, Duke of Orléans, served as Regent of the kingdom until Louis's majority in 1723...
surrendered his Canadian territories, members of the British Royal Family
British Royal Family
The British Royal Family is the group of close relatives of the monarch of the United Kingdom. The term is also commonly applied to the same group of people as the relations of the monarch in her or his role as sovereign of any of the other Commonwealth realms, thus sometimes at variance with...
began to serve in military postings in the colonies; from 1786 to 1887, Prince William Henry
William IV of the United Kingdom
William IV was King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and of Hanover from 26 June 1830 until his death...
(later King William IV) ventured to Canada's east coast as captain of HMS Pegasus in a Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
contingent, and his younger brother, Prince Edward, Duke of Kent
Prince Edward Augustus, Duke of Kent and Strathearn
The Prince Edward, Duke of Kent and Strathearn was a member of the British Royal Family, the fourth son of King George III and the father of Queen Victoria...
, was posted with the British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
to Halifax
City of Halifax
Halifax is a city in Canada, which was the capital of the province of Nova Scotia and shire town of Halifax County. It was the largest city in Atlantic Canada until it was amalgamated into Halifax Regional Municipality in 1996...
, where he acted as Commander-in-Chief, North America
Commander-in-Chief, North America
The office of Commander-in-Chief, North America was a military position of the British Army. Established in 1755 in the early years of the Seven Years' War, holders of the post were generally responsible for land-based military personnel and activities in and around those parts of North America...
between 1791 and 1798 and again from 1799 to 1800. During this period, at the end of the 18th into the beginning of the 19th centuries, the local militia were called upon to augment the British sovereign's forces in defending the colonies against attacks such as those in 1775
Invasion of Canada (1775)
The Invasion of Canada in 1775 was the first major military initiative by the newly formed Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. The objective of the campaign was to gain military control of the British Province of Quebec, and convince the French-speaking Canadiens to join the...
and 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
from the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, which viewed the nearby monarchical presence as a threat to American republican ideologies
Republicanism in the United States
Republicanism is the political value system that has been a major part of American civic thought since the American Revolution. It stresses liberty and inalienable rights as central values, makes the people as a whole sovereign, supports activist government to promote the common good, rejects...
.
Following the formation of the Canadian federation in 1867, a proper military was formed for the new country. This new group was joined three years later by Prince Arthur
Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn
Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn was a member of the shared British and Saxe-Coburg and Gotha royal family who served as the Governor General of Canada, the 10th since Canadian Confederation.Born the seventh child and third son of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and...
, who became the first royal to fight for Canada when the Fenian
Fenian
The Fenians , both the Fenian Brotherhood and Irish Republican Brotherhood , were fraternal organisations dedicated to the establishment of an independent Irish Republic in the 19th and early 20th century. The name "Fenians" was first applied by John O'Mahony to the members of the Irish republican...
s attempted to invade the country
Battle of Eccles Hill
The Battle of Eccles Hill was part of a raid into Canadian territory from the United States led by John O'Neill and Samuel Spiers of the Fenian Brotherhood...
; for his service, the Prince was awarded the Canadian General Service Medal with the Fenian Raid 1870 bar. By 1874, the Royal Military College of Canada
Royal Military College of Canada
The Royal Military College of Canada, RMC, or RMCC , is the military academy of the Canadian Forces, and is a degree-granting university. RMC was established in 1876. RMC is the only federal institution in Canada with degree granting powers...
was established, with Queen Victoria's consent for the use of the royal prefix granted in 1878; and her grandson, King George V
George V of the United Kingdom
George V was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India, from 6 May 1910 through the First World War until his death in 1936....
gave the same permission for the Royal Canadian Navy
Royal Canadian Navy
The history of the Royal Canadian Navy goes back to 1910, when the naval force was created as the Naval Service of Canada and renamed a year later by King George V. The Royal Canadian Navy is one of the three environmental commands of the Canadian Forces...
when it was created in 1911, as did his son, King Edward VII
Edward VII of the United Kingdom
Edward VII was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions and Emperor of India from 22 January 1901 until his death in 1910...
, for the Royal Canadian Air Force
Royal Canadian Air Force
The history of the Royal Canadian Air Force begins in 1920, when the air force was created as the Canadian Air Force . In 1924 the CAF was renamed the Royal Canadian Air Force and granted royal sanction by King George V. The RCAF existed as an independent service until 1968...
six years after it was established in 1918. It was in the new Canadian navy that a young Prince Albert
George VI of the United Kingdom
George VI was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth from 11 December 1936 until his death...
(later King George VI) served as a midshipman
Midshipman
A midshipman is an officer cadet, or a commissioned officer of the lowest rank, in the Royal Navy, United States Navy, and many Commonwealth navies. Commonwealth countries which use the rank include Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, India, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Kenya...
for the duration of 1913.
The World Wars and between
Canada came to be at war when in 1914 King George VGeorge V of the United Kingdom
George V was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India, from 6 May 1910 through the First World War until his death in 1936....
declared that the British Empire
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
was at war with its German counterpart
German Empire
The German Empire refers to Germany during the "Second Reich" period from the unification of Germany and proclamation of Wilhelm I as German Emperor on 18 January 1871, to 1918, when it became a federal republic after defeat in World War I and the abdication of the Emperor, Wilhelm II.The German...
. At the time, Canada had in Ottawa a royal viceroy in the form of Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn
Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn
Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught and Strathearn was a member of the shared British and Saxe-Coburg and Gotha royal family who served as the Governor General of Canada, the 10th since Canadian Confederation.Born the seventh child and third son of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and...
; though well intended, the Prince donned his Field Marshal
Field Marshal
Field Marshal is a military rank. Traditionally, it is the highest military rank in an army.-Etymology:The origin of the rank of field marshal dates to the early Middle Ages, originally meaning the keeper of the king's horses , from the time of the early Frankish kings.-Usage and hierarchical...
's uniform and, without ministerial advice, went to military training grounds and barracks to address the troops and see them off on their voyage to Europe. This was much to the chagrin of the Prime Minister at the time, Robert Borden
Robert Borden
Sir Robert Laird Borden, PC, GCMG, KC was a Canadian lawyer and politician. He served as the eighth Prime Minister of Canada from October 10, 1911 to July 10, 1920, and was the third Nova Scotian to hold this office...
, who saw the Governor General as overstepping constitutional conventions
Constitutional convention (political custom)
A constitutional convention is an informal and uncodified procedural agreement that is followed by the institutions of a state. In some states, notably those Commonwealth of Nations states that follow the Westminster system and whose political systems derive from British constitutional law, most...
. Though Borden blamed the Military Secretary of the day, Edward Stanton, he also opined that Prince Arthur "laboured under the handicap of his position as a member of the Royal Family and never realised his limitations as Governor General." Arthur's wife, Princess Louise Margaret, Duchess of Connaught, also helped in the war effort, forming volunteer groups to make supplies for Canadian soldiers overseas; for Christmas
Christmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
in 1915, she sent a card and a box of maple sugar to every Canadian serving in Europe, and she had a knitting machine installed at Rideau Hall
Rideau Hall
Rideau Hall is, since 1867, the official residence in Ottawa of both the Canadian monarch and the Governor General of Canada. It stands in Canada's capital on a 0.36 km2 estate at 1 Sussex Drive, with the main building consisting of 170 rooms across 9,500 m2 , and 24 outbuildings around the...
, on which she made thousands of pairs of socks for soldiers. Princess Patricia
Princess Patricia of Connaught
Princess Patricia of Connaught was a member of the British Royal Family, a granddaughter of Queen Victoria...
, the Connaught's daughter, became so active with the military that Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry
Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry
Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry is one of the three regular force infantry regiments of the Canadian Army. The regiment is composed of four battalions including a primary reserve battalion, for a total of 2,000 soldiers...
was in 1914 named in her honour; the Princess personally chose the infantry's colours, designed its badge, and was appointed as its Colonel-in-Chief at the cessation of hostilities in 1918.
Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions. With a total area of about , it covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface and about 26% of its water surface area...
, Prince Edward
Edward VIII of the United Kingdom
Edward VIII was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth, and Emperor of India, from 20 January to 11 December 1936.Before his accession to the throne, Edward was Prince of Wales and Duke of Cornwall and Rothesay...
(later King Edward VIII) was serving on the Western Front
Western Front (World War I)
Following the outbreak of World War I in 1914, the German Army opened the Western Front by first invading Luxembourg and Belgium, then gaining military control of important industrial regions in France. The tide of the advance was dramatically turned with the Battle of the Marne...
with the Canadian Expeditionary Corps
Canadian Corps
The Canadian Corps was a World War I corps formed from the Canadian Expeditionary Force in September 1915 after the arrival of the 2nd Canadian Division in France. The corps was expanded by the addition of the 3rd Canadian Division in December 1915 and the 4th Canadian Division in August 1916...
, his participation in the fighting establishing a popularity among veteran
Veteran
A veteran is a person who has had long service or experience in a particular occupation or field; " A veteran of ..."...
s during the Prince's latter tours of Canada as Prince of Wales
Prince of Wales
Prince of Wales is a title traditionally granted to the heir apparent to the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the 15 other independent Commonwealth realms...
. By 1936, Edward, as king, had taken up ceremonial military tasks, and became the first Canadian sovereign to do so solely on behalf of Canada when he dedicated the Canadian National Vimy Memorial
Canadian National Vimy Memorial
The Canadian National Vimy Memorial is a memorial site in France dedicated to the memory of Canadian Expeditionary Force members killed during the First World War. It also serves as the place of commemoration for First World War Canadian soldiers killed or presumed dead in France who have no known...
in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. Following Edward's abdication that same year, his brother acceded to the throne as George VI
George VI of the United Kingdom
George VI was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth from 11 December 1936 until his death...
; for his coronation in the summer of 1937, the Canadian Coronation Contingent
Canadian Coronation Contingent
The Canadian Coronation Contingent is a guard of honour, composed of members of the Canadian Forces and Royal Canadian Mounted Police, assembled distinctly for participation in the coronation ceremonies of the Canadian monarch in London, England...
was formed and sent to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. Two year later, the King presided over a number of military ceremonies in Canada, including dedicating the National War Memorial
National War Memorial (Canada)
The National War Memorial , is a tall granite cenotaph with acreted bronze sculptures, that stands in Confederation Square, Ottawa, and serves as the federal war memorial for Canada....
in Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
, and presenting colours to regiments. By the end of that summer, however, the King had declared war on Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany , also known as the Third Reich , but officially called German Reich from 1933 to 1943 and Greater German Reich from 26 June 1943 onward, is the name commonly used to refer to the state of Germany from 1933 to 1945, when it was a totalitarian dictatorship ruled by...
; unlike his father, George did this uniquely as King of Canada
Style of the Canadian sovereign
The title and style of the Canadian sovereign is the formal mode of address of the monarch of Canada. The form is based on those that were inherited from the United Kingdom and France, used in the colonies to refer to the reigning monarch in Europe...
, a week after he had done so as King of the United Kingdom.
To train troops and officers, the Royal Roads Military College
Royal Roads Military College
Royal Roads Military College was a Canadian military college located in Hatley Park, Colwood, British Columbia near Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. The facility is currently being used as the campus for Royal Roads University, a public university that offers applied and professional academic...
was established in British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
, just outside Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
, in the house that had been purchased as a wartime residence for the King, Queen, and their daughters. Though the family remained in London, they were still active in relation to Canada's troops; Queen Elizabeth
Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon
Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon was the queen consort of King George VI from 1936 until her husband's death in 1952, after which she was known as Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, to avoid confusion with her daughter, Queen Elizabeth II...
inspected the 1st Battalion of the Saskatoon Light Infantry in April 1940, and the following year presented the unit with gifts of socks, mittens, caps, pullovers, scarves, and helmets, as well as the unit's colours in October. Her daughter, Princess Elizabeth
Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom
Elizabeth II is the constitutional monarch of 16 sovereign states known as the Commonwealth realms: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize,...
(now Queen Elizabeth II), also undertook solo duties, such as reviewing a parade of Canadian airwomen in 1945. Two years following, the Princess was appointed by her father as Colonel-in-Chief of both Le Régiment de la Chaudière and the 48th Highlanders of Canada, her first appointments in the Canadian Forces. Other members of the Royal Family performed military duties in Canada during the war: Prince George, Duke of Kent
Prince George, Duke of Kent
Prince George, Duke of Kent was a member of the British Royal Family, the fourth son of George V and Mary of Teck, and younger brother of Edward VIII and George VI...
, did so in Manitoba in 1941, and the King's first cousin once removed, Princess Alice
Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone
Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone was a member of the British Royal Family. She was the longest-lived Princess of the Blood Royal of the British Royal Family and the last surviving grandchild of Queen Victoria...
, who was then serving as the Canadian viceregal consort
Viceregal consort of Canada
The viceregal consort of Canada is the spouse of the serving governor general of Canada, assisting the viceroy with ceremonial and charitable work, accompanying him or her to official state occasions, and occasionally undertaking philanthropic work of their own...
to the Governor General of Canada, was installed as Honorary Commandant of a number of women's military services.
A new queen and Canadian Forces unification
In a time of austerity following the Second World WarWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the Coronation Contingent was again mounted to participate in the 1953 coronation of Canada's new sovereign, Queen Elizabeth II. Not only did the forces now have a new Commander-in-Chief, but the post-war period saw major shifts in the structure of the Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Army, and Royal Canadian Air Force; by 1968, the unification of all three into the Canadian Forces
Canadian Forces
The Canadian Forces , officially the Canadian Armed Forces , are the unified armed forces of Canada, as constituted by the National Defence Act, which states: "The Canadian Forces are the armed forces of Her Majesty raised by Canada and consist of one Service called the Canadian Armed Forces."...
took effect at the recommendation of then Defence Minister, Paul Hellyer
Paul Hellyer
Paul Theodore Hellyer, PC is a Canadian engineer, politician, writer and commentator who has had a long and varied career. He is the longest serving current member of the Privy Council, just ahead of Prince Philip.-Early life:...
, over the protests of many senior generals, admirals, and air marshalls. Though the National Defence Act
National Defence Act
The National Defence Act is the primary enabling legislation for organizing and funding Canada's military....
, which unified the services, said "[t]he Canadian Forces are the armed forces of Her Majesty raised by Canada," the royal prefix was not bestowed upon the new unified militia, and a number of royally designated corps were lost into newly designated services and branches; for example, the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps
Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps
The Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps was an administrative corps of the Canadian Army. The Militia Medical Service was established in 1899. The Militia Medical Service was redesignated the Canadian Army Medical Corps in 1904. The Canadian Army Medical Corps was redesignated The Royal Canadian...
and the Royal Canadian Dental Corps
Royal Canadian Dental Corps
The Royal Canadian Dental Corps was an administrative corps of the Canadian Army. The Canadian Dental Corps was authorized on 31 Aug 1939. The Regular and Reserve components of the Canadian Dental Corps were collectively redesignated The Royal Canadian Dental Corps on 15 Jan 1947...
became the Canadian Forces Medical Service
Canadian Forces Medical Service
The Canadian Forces Medical Service provides medical support for the Canadian Forces both at home and abroad. It is also a personnel branch of the CF...
and Canadian Forces Dental Service, respectively, and the Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps
Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps
The Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps was an administrative corps of the Canadian Army. The Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps RCOC can trace its roots back to the Canadian Stores Department. Formed in 1871, the Canadian Stores Department was a civil department of the Canadian Government...
amalgamated with the supply and transport services of the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps
Royal Canadian Army Service Corps
For successor see Logistics BranchThe Royal Canadian Army Service Corps was an administrative and transport corps of the Canadian Army....
to become the Logistics Branch
Logistics Branch (Canadian Forces)
The Logistics Branch is a personnel branch of the Canadian Forces . In April 2007, the CF Armed Forces Council decided to incorporate the Personnel Selection Branch into the Logistics branch.-Unification:...
. Not all the forces' links with the Crown, however, were lost; many of the regiments did retain their royal prefix, members of the Royal Family as their Colonel-in-Chief, and crowns on their badges and other insignia.
While continuing to train for combat, the Canadian Forces were mostly deployed on United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
peacekeeping operations following the Korean War, the role of the royals and viceroys to turning more towards observation and interaction, rather than morale boosting. These individuals, as Colonels-in-Chief, visited with forces personnel either in Canada or abroad, undertook various duties on behalf of the organization, and dedicated armed conflict and military memorials. During this period, Prince Charles
Charles, Prince of Wales
Prince Charles, Prince of Wales is the heir apparent and eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Since 1958 his major title has been His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. In Scotland he is additionally known as The Duke of Rothesay...
, like other Princes of Wales
Prince of Wales
Prince of Wales is a title traditionally granted to the heir apparent to the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the 15 other independent Commonwealth realms...
before him, trained with the Canadian Forces at CFB Gagetown
CFB Gagetown
Canadian Forces Base Gagetown, referred to as CFB Gagetown is a large Canadian Forces Base located in southwestern New Brunswick.- Construction of the base :...
in the 1970s, and his father's cousin, The Countess Mountbatten of Burma
Patricia Knatchbull, 2nd Countess Mountbatten of Burma
Patricia Edwina Victoria Knatchbull, 2nd Countess Mountbatten of Burma, is a British peeress and former lady-in-waiting to her third cousin, Queen Elizabeth II. She was the elder daughter of Louis Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma and his wife, the heiress Edwina Ashley, a patrilineal...
, as Colonel-in-Chief of Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, visited with her troops on more than 45 occasions, at Canadian Forces bases and detachments across the country as well as overseas in Cyprus
Cyprus
Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
, Croatia
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina , sometimes called Bosnia-Herzegovina or simply Bosnia, is a country in Southern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. Bordered by Croatia to the north, west and south, Serbia to the east, and Montenegro to the southeast, Bosnia and Herzegovina is almost landlocked, except for the...
, and Kosovo
Kosovo
Kosovo is a region in southeastern Europe. Part of the Ottoman Empire for more than five centuries, later the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija within Serbia...
. Later, in 1996, Queen Elizabeth II innagurated the Canadian War Memorial in Green Park
Green Park
-External links:*...
, London, just outside of Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace, in London, is the principal residence and office of the British monarch. Located in the City of Westminster, the palace is a setting for state occasions and royal hospitality...
.
Beyond the era of peacekeeping
With Canada's participation in the invasion of AfghanistanCanada's role in the invasion of Afghanistan
Canada did not have a significant role in the first few months of the invasion of Afghanistan that began on October 7, 2001, and the first contingents of regular Canadian troops arrived in Afghanistan only in January–February 2002. Canada took on a larger role starting in 2006 after the Canadian...
, and a number of casualties of that conflict, the forces came more into the public eye than it had been trough the previous two decades. Governor General Adrienne Clarkson won communal praise for boosting Canadians' pride in the armed forces, spending Christmasses and New Year
New Year
The New Year is the day that marks the time of the beginning of a new calendar year, and is the day on which the year count of the specific calendar used is incremented. For many cultures, the event is celebrated in some manner....
s with forces personnel in Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
and the Persian Gulf
Persian Gulf
The Persian Gulf, in Southwest Asia, is an extension of the Indian Ocean located between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula.The Persian Gulf was the focus of the 1980–1988 Iran-Iraq War, in which each side attacked the other's oil tankers...
, and earning herself a special tribute from the Canadian Forces upon her retirement from the Queen's service in 2005. This was the same year that saw the 60th anniversary of D-Day
D-Day
D-Day is a term often used in military parlance to denote the day on which a combat attack or operation is to be initiated. "D-Day" often represents a variable, designating the day upon which some significant event will occur or has occurred; see Military designation of days and hours for similar...
commemorated at Juno Beach
Juno Beach
Juno or Juno Beach was one of five sectors of the Allied invasion of German-occupied France in the Normandy landings on 6 June 1944, during the Second World War. The sector spanned from Saint-Aubin, a village just east of the British Gold sector, to Courseulles, just west of the British Sword sector...
, in the presence of the Queen, Clarkson, and Prince Charles. Also, Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex
Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex
Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex KG GCVO is the third son and fourth child of Elizabeth II and The Duke of Edinburgh...
, visited with the Saskatchewan Dragoons
Saskatchewan Dragoons
The Saskatchewan Dragoons is a Primary Reserve armoured regiment of the Canadian Forces. The unit is based in Moose Jaw. Their primary job is to assist the Regular Force in meeting Canada's military commitments. Their training and equipment closely follow that of the Regular Force, which the...
, of which he is Colonel-in-Chief, in Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
, where in 2007 the Queen attended the 90th anniversary of the Battle of Passchendaele. In April of that year, the Queen marked another major military anniversary when she re-dedicated the Canadian Vimy Memorial on the 90th anniversary of the battle it commemorates, following in the footsteps of her uncle, King Edward VIII. She was accompanied by her husband, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh is the husband of Elizabeth II. He is the United Kingdom's longest-serving consort and the oldest serving spouse of a reigning British monarch....
, who was dressed in the uniform of the Royal Canadian Regiment
The Royal Canadian Regiment
The Royal Canadian Regiment is an infantry regiment of the Canadian Forces. The regiment consists of four battalions, three in the Regular Force and one in the Primary Reserve...
, which both fought at Vimy Ridge and had just the day previous lost six members during combat operations
Coalition combat operations in Afghanistan in 2006
In January 2006, NATO's focus in southern Afghanistan was to form Provincial Reconstruction Teams with the British leading in Helmand Province and the Netherlands and Canada would lead similar deployments in Orūzgān Province and Kandahar Province respectively. The Americans with 2,200 troops stayed...
in Afghanistan.
On 17 May 2007, an online
ONLINE
ONLINE is a magazine for information systems first published in 1977. The publisher Online, Inc. was founded the year before. In May 2002, Information Today, Inc. acquired the assets of Online Inc....
petition, sponsored by Member of Parliament Laurie Hawn
Laurie Hawn
Laurie Daniel Hawn PC CD MP is a retired Lieutenant Colonel of the Royal Canadian Air Force, later the Canadian Forces Air Command, businessman, and federal politician from Edmonton, Alberta...
, was issued seeking grassroots
Grassroots
A grassroots movement is one driven by the politics of a community. The term implies that the creation of the movement and the group supporting it are natural and spontaneous, highlighting the differences between this and a movement that is orchestrated by traditional power structures...
support for the Maritime Command and Air Command to be renamed as the Royal Canadian Navy and Royal Canadian Air Force, respectively, for the navy's 100th anniversary in 2010; since the royal designation was originally granted by Royal Proclamations that have never been revoked, if the terms Canadian Navy and Canadian Air Force were to ever again be used in an official capacity, they would be required to have the word royal preceding them. Also in 2007, the Collège militaire royal (CMR) in St-Jean Sur Richelieu (first opened in 1952 as a bilingual educational institution under the jurisdiction of the Royal Canadian Air Force, and then closed in 1995 due to cuts to the Department of National Defence's operating budget) was reopened to handle an influx of new recruits. And, by June of that year, it was reported that Prince Harry, then third in line to the Canadian throne, had arrived in Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
to train, along with other soldiers of the Canadian and British
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
armies, at CFB
Canadian Forces base
A Canadian Forces Base or CFB is a military installation of the Canadian Forces. For a facility to qualify as a Canadian Forces Base, it must station one or more major units .Minor installations are named Canadian Forces Station or CFS A Canadian Forces Base or CFB (French Base des forces...
Suffield
CFB Suffield
Canadian Forces Base Suffield , is the largest Canadian Forces Base and the largest Commonwealth military training base in the world...
, near Medicie Hat
Medicine Hat, Alberta
Medicine Hat, known to locals as "The Hat", is a city of 61,097 people located in the southeastern part of the province of Alberta, Canada. It is enclaved within Cypress County along with the nearby Town of Redcliff, although neither is part of the county....
, before a tour of duty
Tour of duty
In the Navy, a tour of duty is a period of time spent performing operational duties at sea, including combat, performing patrol or fleet duties, or assigned to service in a foreign country....
in Afghanistan. At the same time, Harry's aunt, the Princess Royal
Anne, Princess Royal
Princess Anne, Princess Royal , is the only daughter of Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh...
, was in Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan is a prairie province in Canada, which has an area of . Saskatchewan is bordered on the west by Alberta, on the north by the Northwest Territories, on the east by Manitoba, and on the south by the U.S. states of Montana and North Dakota....
undertaking duties as Colonel-in-Chief of The Royal Regina Rifles
The Royal Regina Rifles
The Royal Regina Rifles is a Primary Reserve infantry regiment of the Canadian Forces. Prior to 1982 the regiment was known as The Regina Rifle Regiment...
, marking their centennial, as well as to open the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police , literally ‘Royal Gendarmerie of Canada’; colloquially known as The Mounties, and internally as ‘The Force’) is the national police force of Canada, and one of the most recognized of its kind in the world. It is unique in the world as a national, federal,...
Heritage Centre.
On 4 November 2008, the Queen launched at Canada House
Canada House
The High Commission of Canada in the United Kingdom in London is the diplomatic mission from Canada to the United Kingdom. It is housed in two buildings in London.-History:...
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
Vigil 1914-1918, a coordinated light and media display on the facades of Canada house and buildings in six Canadian cities of the name of each of the approximately 68,000 Canadians who died in World War I; there the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh met with First World War veterans as well as Canadians returned from Afghanistan. Almost one year later, Prince Charles officiated at the Remembrance Day
Remembrance Day
Remembrance Day is a memorial day observed in Commonwealth countries since the end of World War I to remember the members of their armed forces who have died in the line of duty. This day, or alternative dates, are also recognized as special days for war remembrances in many non-Commonwealth...
ceremonies at the National War Memorial in Ottawa and, in early March 2010, the Princess Royal
Anne, Princess Royal
Princess Anne, Princess Royal , is the only daughter of Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh...
visited with Canadian troops at Camp Bastion
Camp Bastion
Camp Bastion is the main British military base in Afghanistan. Accommodating 21,000 people it is situated northwest of Lashkar Gah, the capital of Helmand Province, and exists to be the logistics hub for operations in Helmand....
in Afghanistan, as Prince Andrew, Duke of York
Prince Andrew, Duke of York
Prince Andrew, Duke of York KG GCVO , is the second son, and third child of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh...
, had done in 2008, when he presented colours to and lunched with the Royal Highland Fusiliers in Lashkar Gah. The Prince of Wales then met with Canadian troops, amongst others from the Commonwealth, in Afghanistan on 24 March 2010.
2010 saw the death of the last Canadian veteran of World War I and, on the anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge
Battle of Vimy Ridge
The Battle of Vimy Ridge was a military engagement fought primarily as part of the Battle of Arras, in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France, during the First World War. The main combatants were the Canadian Corps, of four divisions, against three divisions of the German Sixth Army...
, Queen Elizabeth II issued in April of that year a statement marking the two events, stating: "As proud and grateful Canadians, we pause today to mark not only the ninety-third anniversary of this Nation's victory at Vimy Ridge but also to pay tribute to the passing of a truly remarkable generation who helped to end the most terrible conflict the world had ever known." A few months later, on 29 June, the Queen marked the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Royal Canadian Navy by conducting a fleet review at the Bedford Basin
Bedford Basin
Bedford Basin is a large enclosed bay, forming the northwestern end of Halifax Harbour on Canada's Atlantic coast.-Geography:Geographically, the basin is situated entirely within the Halifax Regional Municipality and is oriented northwest-southeast, measuring approximately 8 kilometres long and 5...
; the event was attended by ships of the Canadian Maritime Command, Brazilian Navy, Royal Danish Navy, French Navy, German Navy, Royal Netherlands Navy, Royal Navy and United States Navy.
See also
- Monarchy of Canada
- Commander-in-Chief of the Canadian Forces