Queen's Regulations


The Queen's Regulations is a collection of orders and regulations in force in the Royal Navy, British Army, Royal Air Force, and Commonwealth Forces, where the Queen is Head of State, forming guidance for officers of these armed services in all matters of discipline and personal conduct. Originally, a single set of regulations were published in one volume. By the mid 19th century, there were separate editions of the Queen's Regulations for the Navy and the Army, and there is now one for each of the United Kingdom's armed forces.

History

The first issue of what became the Queen's Regulations and Admiralty Instructions was issued in 1731 as the Regulations and Instructions Relating to His Majesty's Service at Sea. Numerous further editions have appeared since then, and from the 19th century the title was altered to the Queen's Regulations and Admiralty Instructions. Naval editions with this title were published by H.M. Stationery Office as recently as 1959 and 1964.
In 1868, Chambers's Encyclopaedia noted that the Queen's Regulations for the Navy "in a great degree regulate matters of finance; whereas, in the army, financial matters are left to the War Office regulations".
One historian of the British Empire has explained that:
In a legal work of 1907, the "King's Regulations and Orders for the Army and Navy" were defined thus:
Under "King's Regulations and Orders for the Army", another authority states

Prohibition of political discussions

It has been a matter of discipline since at least the 1844 edition of Wellington that,
Officers, Non-commissioned Officers, and Soldiers are forbidden to institute, countenance, or attend Orange-Lodges, or any other Meetings whatever, for Party or Political Purposes, in Barracks, Quarters, Camp, or wheresoever held.

In 1889, Wolseley amended the prohibition to read,
Officers, Non-commissioned Officers, and private soldiers are forbidden to institute, or take part in any meetings, demonstrations, or processions for party or political purposes, in barracks, quarters or camps, or their vicinity; and under no circumstances whatever will they do so in uniform.

Current editions

Frequent updates are issued.

Selected past editions

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