In time the official title of Merchant Service was adopted, and later replaced by Mercantile Marine. The current title of British shipping as the Merchant Navy followed subsequently, but does not seem to have come into widespread use until the War of 1939-1945.

In July 1918 His Majesty King George V had expressed his desire to recognize the war service of the Mercantile Marine and it has been generally thought that a specific change of title was granted to reflect this, although the actual point of change very probably lies in the creation of the Prince of Wales as Master of the Merchant Navy and Fishing Fleets in February 1928 (this office being held by successive monarchs to the present day).

The Admiralty announcement noted that this brought them into line with the "other great Services of the Empire" by having a member of the Royal Family as their titular Head, and also in recognition of the service which the Merchant Navy and Fishing Fleets had rendered for many centuries, both in peace and in war.