Royal Colonel is an appointment made by the British monarch, currently Queen Elizabeth II, to members of the British Royal Family who are appointed to the position of Colonel-in-Chief of a regiment within the British or Commonwealth army. Royal Colonel appointments are made for regiments and military units of the British Army. Similar roles exist in honorary Air Commodores-in-Chief and Air Commodores for the Royal Air Force, and honorary Commodore-in-Chief for the Royal Navy.
These appointments are honorary and do not confer rank or uniform upon the recipient. They are a ceremonial appointment designed to further strengthen the bond between the British Army and the Royal Family.
The appointment of Royal Colonels is made by the Queen and is announced in a press release issued by the Palace Press Secretary.
Following the reorganisation of regiments in 2006 the following appointments were made: