Royal Colonel is an appointment made by the British Monarch, currently Her Majesty 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 Royal Colonels act as an escort to the monarch and wear full uniform appropriate to the regiment of which they are in command. The appointment 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: