Monarchy of Canada: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 16:04, 14 September 2006

Revision as of 16:46, 14 September 2006

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The Sovereign's position and role in the military is reflected by Canadian [[navy|naval vessels]] bearing the prefix Her Majesty's Canadian Ship (HMCS) (subsequently His Majesty's Canadian Ship during the reign of a king), and all members of the armed forces must swear allegiance to the Queen and her heirs and successors.

In 1968, Defence Minister [[Paul Hellyer]], under the Government of [[Pierre Trudeau]], unified the [[Canadian Army]], [[Royal Canadian Navy]] and [[Royal Canadian Air Force]] into the [[Canadian Armed Forces]], over the protests of many senior generals, admirals and air marshals. The "Royal" title was not bestowed upon the new unified service, though many of the former Army units retain the title and vessels are still titled "HMCS". Also, crowns are included in the vast majority of Canadian military insignia. Since useage of the '''"Royal'''" designation was executed by Royal Proclamations which have never been revoked, the Canadian Government and the Canadian Forces will be required to resume usage of the expression “Royal",Royal" if the expressions “Canadian"Canadian Navy”Navy", "Canadian Army", and "Canadian Air Force" are again used in any official capacity.

Members of the [[Canadian Royal Family]] have presided over many military ceremonies, including Trooping the Colours, inspections of the troops, and anniversaries of key battles. Whenever Her Majesty is in Ottawa she lays a wreath at the [[National War Memorial (Canada)|National War Memorial]]. As well, two other examples of Elizabeth II acting as Queen of Canada abroad were associated with the Canadian military; one in 1996 when she dedicated the Canadian War Memorial in [[Green Park]], [[London]], and the other in 2004 when she attended the Canadian 60th anniversary of [[D-Day]] ceremonies in [[Normandy]], [[France]].