Head of the Armed Forces is the position of the sovereign of the United Kingdom as commander-in-chief of the British Armed Forces. However, supreme military authority has been delegated by the monarch to the Defence Council of the United Kingdom, a body officially charged with the direction and administration of the Armed Forces.
As the Council and other military bodies all are a part of the Defence Ministry, which itself is a part of the Government of the United Kingdom, the prime minister makes the key decisions on the use of the Armed Forces, while the secretary of state for defence assists the prime minister and administers the day-to-day military operations.
Military oath of allegiance
Before joining the military all recruits of the British Armed Forces (other than Ratings and Officers in the Royal Navy and Officers in the Royal Marines) must take the following oath: I... swear by Almighty God (do solemnly, and truly declare and affirm) that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles III, His Heirs and Successors, and that I will, as in duty bound, honestly and faithfully defend His Majesty, His Heirs and Successors, in Person, Crown and Dignity against all enemies, and will observe and obey all orders of His Majesty, His Heirs and Successors, and of the General Officers (Air Officers if entering the RAF) and officers set over me.Long-standing constitutional convention, however, has vested de facto executive authority, by the exercise of Royal Prerogative, in the Prime Minister and His Majesty's Secretary of State for Defence. The Prime Minister (acting with the Cabinet) makes the key political decisions on the use of the armed forces.
The King, however, remains the supreme authority of the military. As Commander-in-Chief the King closely follows developments in the armed forces and the security services. He regularly receives the agenda in advance of all cabinet meetings and its committees, particularly the national security committee. He also receives the minutes of the meetings of all of these committees and all cabinet documents.
The King regularly receives the Secretary of State for Defence in audience to discuss Defence documents and policies; if he requires, his Private Secretary can seek additional information from Defence departments. His Majesty also receives regular reports from the Chief of the General Staff, the First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff, and the Chief of Air Staff that cover all important developments in military matters. His Majesty further receives the Chief of the Defence Staff in audience to discuss tri-service military matters.
Duties and functions
In his capacity as Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces the King exercises the following powers, duties and functions on the advice of His Majesty's Cabinet:
Direct, control and govern the armed forces
Declare war, make peace or institute hostilities falling short of war
Deploy and use the armed forces overseas
Maintain the Royal Navy
Deploy and use the armed forces on British soil to maintain peace and order in support of civilian government authorities (e.g. to maintain essential services during a strike) Order warships in times of urgent national necessity Commission all military officers Regulate trade with hostiles Engage in angary, in time of war, to appropriate the property of a neutral which is within the realm, where necessity requires Powers in the event of a grave national emergency, including those to enter upon, take and destroy private property