Queen Camilla is to become the patron of the army organisation that cares for the spiritual needs of the military.
Her Majesty is now patron of the Royal Army Chaplains’ Department which provides pastoral care and moral guidance to all members, regardless of their own personal faith.
The Queen follows Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II as patron.
Queen Elizabeth II paid a special tribute to the Royal Army Chaplains’ Department in 2019 when she attended a ceremony marking 100 years since her grandfather, King George V, bestowed the name ‘royal’. King George made the decision following World War One where 179 chaplains were killed and three were awarded the Victoria Cross.
The Royal Army Chaplains’ Department was established in 1796 to care for the Army’s spiritual needs. It expanded rapidly during the Crimean War where 26,000 troops were originally deployed with just one chaplain. Ultimately, sixty chaplains would be deployed.
Until 1827, only members of the Church of England could be part of the department. Catholic chaplains were recruited from the mid 19th century along with Methodist and Presbyterian leaders. Jewish chaplains joined from 1892 onwards.
The department is now all officer and all members are ordained clergy or an authorised and qualified religious leader from the Buddhist, Jewish, Hindu, Sikh or Muslim communities.
All wear uniform and can lead and manage troops but they do not have executive authority. As well as delivering pastoral care both at home and overseas, army chaplains provide spiritual support at all levels and offer moral guidance and ethical leadership.
The Department is also looking to recruit a non-uniformed non-religious pastoral officer in the near future, an historic moment that will happen under the patronage of Queen Camilla.
Her Majesty’s new role is one of a wide range of military appointments announced by Buckingham Palace. The King has taken on the role of Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, The Royal Regiment of Scotland and of the Royal Tank Regiment and becomes Air Commodore-in-Chief of the RAF. His Majesty is also Sponsor of HMS Elizabeth.
