Editing Colonel-in-chief (section)

== Role ==
In modern usage, the colonel-in-chief of a [[regiment]] is its (usually royal) [[patron]], who has a ceremonial role in the life of the regiment. They do not have any operational role, or the right to issue orders, but are kept informed of all important activities of the regiment and pay occasional visits to its units. The chief purpose of the colonel-in-chief is to maintain a direct link between the regiment and the royal family.{{citation needed|date=September 2015}} Some [[artillery]] regiments have a [[Captain general#Great Britain|captain-general]] instead of a colonel-in-chief, but the posts are essentially the same.

The position of colonel-in-chief is distinct from the other ceremonial regimental posts of [[Colonel (United Kingdom)#Ceremonial usage|colonel of the regiment]] and [[Colonel (United Kingdom)#Honorary Colonel|honorary colonel]], which are usually retired military officers or public figures with ties to the regiment.

Colonels-in-chief are appointed at the invitation of the regiment. While it is traditional for a royal personage to hold the position,{{cn|date=September 2022}} it is at the discretion of each regiment whom they invite.

{{As of|2024}}, most colonels-in-chief in the [[British Army]] are members of the [[British royal family]]. However, one foreign monarch holds the position:{{citation needed|date=September 2015}}
*[[Abdullah II of Jordan]] – [[Light Dragoons|The Light Dragoons]]

In the past non-royal persons have held, or been invited to hold, the post of colonel-in-chief. The [[Duke of Wellington]] was colonel-in-chief of [[Duke of Wellington's Regiment|the regiment that bore his name]]. The [[Governor General of Canada]] [[Adrienne Clarkson]] was invited to be colonel-in-chief of [[Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/news/local/story.html?id=44f65e8c-cc5c-42ec-b757-1374a99fd6d5&k=0 |title=Clarkson to be given military honour |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080418232503/http://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/news/local/story.html?id=44f65e8c-cc5c-42ec-b757-1374a99fd6d5&k=0 |archivedate=April 18, 2008 |work=Edmonton Journal |date=4 February 2007}}</ref> while the [[Royal Australian Army Medical Corps]] decided to ask the [[Governor-General of Australia]] to serve as its colonel-in-chief.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews/editions/1167/topstories/story21.htm |title=GG’s new role |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304052621/http://www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews/editions/1167/topstories/story21.htm |archivedate=2016-03-04 |publisher=Department of Defence |date=31 May 2007}}</ref>

The role has spread to other armies in the [[Commonwealth of Nations]], at least in countries which have royal families.{{cn|date=September 2022}}