Commodore-in-chief is an honorary appointment bestowed by the monarch of the Commonwealth realms on various members of the Royal Family. Previously, there have been honorary air commodores-in-chief in the British Royal Air Force and Royal Canadian Air Force, but no parallel affiliations with the navies of either country.
Commodore-in-Chief is an appointment rather than a rank. Holding an appointment of commodore-in-chief does not confer upon the holder the rank of commodore or indeed any other rank. Members of the Royal Family wear the uniform of their rank and are not issued with a different uniform for the appointment. However, Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, who was appointed the Commodore-in-Chief of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary in 2006, has since appeared in the uniform of an RFA Commodore followed by The Prince of Wales in 2023 when he wore the uniform of a RN Commodore.
Canada
It was announced on 3 May 2015 that Charles, Prince of Wales, and Anne, Princess Royal, had been appointed by their mother, the Queen of Canada, as commodores-in-chief; Charles is Commodore-in-Chief (Fleet Atlantic) and Anne Commodore-in-Chief (Fleet Pacific). The appointment was timed to coincide with the 70th anniversary of the cessation of the Battle of the Atlantic.
United Kingdom
Admiral Sir Jonathon Band, First Sea Lord, said on news of the appointments: "They firmly underline the strength of the bond between the Royal Family and the Armed Forces, not least the Naval Service in which so many members of the Royal family have served with great distinction over the years."
| Holder | Naval rank (if any) | Appointment | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| The King | Admiral of the Fleet | Commodore-in-Chief, Plymouth Commodore-in-Chief, Aircraft Carriers |
2006 2019 |
| The Queen | - | Commodore-in-Chief, Naval Medical Services Commodore-in-Chief, Royal Navy Chaplaincy Service |
2006 |
| The Prince of Wales | Commander | Commodore-in-Chief, Scotland Commodore-in-Chief, Submarines |
2006 |
| The Princess of Wales | - | Commodore-in-Chief, Fleet Air Arm | 2023 |
| The Duke of Edinburgh | - | Commodore-in-Chief, Royal Fleet Auxiliary | 2006 |
| The Princess Royal | Admiral | Commodore-in-Chief, Portsmouth | 2006 |
| Prince Michael of Kent | Vice-Admiral | Commodore-in-Chief, Maritime Reserves | 2006 |
| Vacant | - | Commodore-in-Chief, Small Ships and Diving | Since 2021 |
Appointees may wear the uniform and ensgina of a Royal Navy Commodore, with ensgina of the service (i.e. the Submarine Warfare Insignia), with many appointment holders opting to wear the naval uniform of their substantive or higher honorary rank.
Malaysia
The Sultan of Selangor, currently Sharafuddin of Selangor, holds the dignity and appointment of Commodore-in-Chief of the Royal Malaysian Navy since 1984.
References
- Meanwhile, yet another uniform for Edward
- Stacey, Danielle. "Prince William's royal first in 13 years and the 'poignant' significance behind it". Hello Magazine. Retrieved 4 June 2024.
- Government of Canada (3 May 2015). "Minister Kenney announces Royal appointments to the Royal Canadian Navy". Queen's Printer for Canada. Archived from the original on 5 May 2015. Retrieved 4 May 2015.
- "New Royal Patrons revealed by the Queen". Ministry of Defence. 8 October 2006. Archived from the original on 10 August 2006. Retrieved 1 November 2007.
- "Appointment of new Royal Navy patrons". Buckingham Palace. 2006-08-08. Retrieved 2007-11-01.
- "Prince of Wales becomes Commodore-in-Chief, Aircraft Carriers, as namesake ship commissions". Royal Navy. Portsmouth. 10 December 2019. Retrieved 10 December 2019.
- "Megxit: The groups and charities saying goodbye to Harry and Meghan". ITV News. 19 February 2021. Retrieved 20 February 2021.