The Royal Navy, The Royal Airforce, Why not The Royal Army?

Question

Am I the only one bothered by this, I feel that I am.

Yes Allen 555... so why therefore isn't it the British Navy and the British Airforce then?

Oh god, someone must know the answer!

Ah finally the voice of reason.

Thank you for your insights Emma C.... now if he's away, bring you and your wonderwoman outfit to my place.

Answer 1

Armies were rag tag bunches of men who fought for their tribal leaders and clan chiefs etc. There were many armies in Britain and they often fought each other. In times of crisis they often came together to fight for the country but under their individual leaders banner. Although they eventually became the British Army it was under the direction of parliament and not the monarch. For this reason the Army has a tendency for intense regimental pride - probably much more than their pride in the army. That is not a bad thing either!

Although their were ships that carried guns for the country, most were privateers and pirates. The Royal Navy was commisioned by the monarch. Interestingly Naval personnel do not swear alleigance to the Queen only the county!

The RAF was formed from the Royal Flying Corp and a couple of other rag tag fliers. Again under the soveriegns standard.

Today all armed services carry the queens colours. But what comes first? Queen or country? The various struggles through history changed Britain from a land not just ruled by the monarchy but owned by the monarchy in such a way that most people were in servitude to the monarch into a democracy where the people were free. Whilst we still have a monarchy as head of state, we are ruled by parliament. All three services follow fine traditions of which each should be justly proud. Please do not feel slighted by a missing word.

All our valiant and hard working servicemen are risking life and limb for their country. Not the Queen, not parliament, but the good honest people of Britain. I am sure if you could ask the Queen she would say she is a servant of the country.

Answer 2

One of the reasons is that because the line of regiments where formed most where private regiments formed from local militia and payed for by private land owners.
The system was overhauled slightly and became more professional in the Parliment Army of the English Civil War, hence why those created by Parliment are non royal.
Then there are the corporation regiments formed by the East India Company, Hudson Bay Company and then brought into the Army in the 19th Century.
The Royal Regiments are those that can trace there roots back to support of the King (Queen) or have a Royal Connection (not neccessarily a CiC who is a Royal).
Also the Army is made of regiments made up from the 4 Countires of the British Isles and some owe allegance to the Scottish, Welsh or Irish Crowns rather than the English Crown.
The Army is a mis-mash of units also, unlike the RN and RAF which fall under the same banner and are easily identified, the Army refers to any Land Force excluding the RAF Regiment and The Royal Marines.

Answer 3

this custom became carried to Commonwealth international places to boot. Canada had the Royal Canadian army, and the Royal Canadian Air stress, yet only the Canadian military. Even the police have been Royal: the Royal Canadian fastened Police. The Coast preserve isn't royal. military corps have been many times Royal, as interior the British military, e.g., the Royal Canadian sign Corp (which predates the united kingdom one, by the way). to boot, there is the Royal Canadian Regiment, the Royal twenty 2d Regiment (the VanDoos, from Vingt-deux, or 22 in French). yet, the Princess Patricia's Canadian easy Infantry isn't Royal. while the militia became blended into the Canadian Forces in 1968, the Royal became no longer lined. It grew to alter into the Canadian militia, now only the Canadian Forces. Ships are nevertheless Her Majesties Canadian deliver, and the regiments saved their Royal designations. Many communities have the Queen's Crown on their hat badge, at the same time with Air Operations (incredibly the air stress badge), and the Maritime badge (the army.) we are nevertheless Her Majesty's forces - only no longer Royal as an entire team.

Answer 4

Yes mate I know

The army lost its Royal status in the English civil war when it sided with Parliament against the monarchy.

The Navy stayed loyal and is still known as the royal navy

Units since then can claim Royal status as they never sided against the monarchy like the royal air force however the army in collective terms cant be known as such because taking arms against the monarchy in the civil war

Interesting aint it

Answer 5

It's The British Army.

Answer 6

Because the first English professional, standing army was Cromwell's New Model which brought about the Commonwealth by defeating the 'Royal Army'.

Answer 7

The various corps and regiments of the Army have the "Royal" prefix. Historically the RN and RAF have been single organisations, while the Army grew from a number of different sources - county regiments, the guards, etc.

Answer 8

The Army is not prefixed by 'Royal' because it is made up of many different disparate units, some of which already bear the name 'Royal' such as the Royal Engineers or Royal Artillery. Whereas the Air Force and the Navy are not made up of such disparate units.

Answer 9

What about The Royal Guardsmen? "Snoopy Vs. The Red Baron" is one of my all time favorite songs.

Answer 10

Good question, even though my hubby IS in the British Army I have no idea!!