Vice Admiral of the UK: History of honorary title as Queen Camilla is first woman to hold role
Queen Camilla has made Royal Navy history.
During a visit to HMS Astute at Devonport Naval Base in Plymouth, she became the first woman to have the title of Vice Admiral of the United Kingdom bestowed upon her.
First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff, General Sir Gwyn Jenkins RM, said "the honorary appointment reflects the high regard in which Her Majesty is held by all of us".
Originally known as the Vice Admiral of England, this position was established by King Henry VIII in 1513.
The first person to hold this honorary role was Vice Admiral William Fitz but, more than 512 years later, what is the role of the Vice Admiral of the United Kingdom and how can it benefit the Royal Navy today?
Not to be confused with the naval rank Vice Admiral – the third highest rank in the Royal Navy – the honorary Royal Navy title of Vice Admiral of the United Kingdom holds a unique place in British maritime tradition.
Unlike the operational position of Vice Admiral, which involves commanding naval forces and working with the government to help implement defence policy, the honorary role highlights those chosen for their contributions to the Royal Navy.
There isn't much online about the history of the Vice Admiral of the United Kingdom but, thanks to the help of the Naval Historical Branch of the Royal Navy and the National Museum of the Royal Navy, BFBS Forces News was able to delve into the mysterious role's history.
Research by the Naval Historical Branch reveals the long history of the role, saying: "The office of Vice Admiral of the United Kingdom is a survival of the ancient office of Lieutenant-Admiral or Lieutenant of the Admiralty, originating in the 14th century as an occasional appointment, when the High Admiral required assistance with his legal and administrative duties.
"The office was frequently dormant and by the Tudor period was regarded principally as an honourable distinction and a reward for services.
"Although not in its origins a naval office (serving the Lord High Admiral in his capacity as head of the High Court of Admiralty rather than as head of the Navy), as an honorary office in more recent times it was generally bestowed upon a naval officer and not a law officer or other civilian."
Typically given to well-respected Royal Navy personnel, the title formally makes the Queen deputy to the King, who is Lord High Admiral, the ceremonial head of the Royal Navy.
The Naval Historical Branch added: "It was hoped that the holder would act as an unofficial ambassador for the Navy, and on appropriate occasions as the personal representative of the Lord High Admiral.
"In terms of naval precedence, the holder, if a naval officer, would continue to be outranked by Admirals of the Fleet and the First Sea Lord, except when acting specifically as the representative of the Lord High Admiral."
When Queen Camilla became Vice Admiral of the United Kingdom she was presented with a White Ensign with a specially designed burgee.
The Naval Historical Branch explains its unique design, saying: "A burgee was designed by the College of Arms which echoed the flag of the Lord High Admiral, with its horizontal anchor and cable, but, in order to keep a suitable distinction, it was rendered in red on white rather than the Lord High Admiral's gold on red.
"It is flown as a distinguishing flag in vessels other than the holder's own... when the Vice Admiral of the United Kingdom is acting officially as the personal representative of the Lord High Admiral."
The Queen's appointment not only reinforces the bond between the royal family and Navy personnel but also shines a spotlight on her personal relationship with the military.
The Queen's connection to the Armed Forces
Born in 1947, just after her father's retirement from the military, the Queen has had a lifelong connection to the Armed Forces.
Her late father, Major Shand, was a veteran British Army officer who served with the 12th Royal Lancers during the Second World War and was awarded two Military Crosses for gallantry.
The Queen's first husband, Brigadier (Retired) Andrew Parker Bowles, was a British Army officer who served for 34 years.
After their divorce, she married King Charles, a former Royal Navy and Royal Air Force officer, further deepening her ties to the military.
In addition, after becoming Queen in 2022, Camilla chose Major Ollie Plunkett as her first equerry, solidifying her relationship with the Armed Forces.
The previous title holder was former First Sea Lord and Chief of the Defence Staff, Admiral the Lord Boyce, who held the position of Vice Admiral of the United Kingdom from December 2021 until his death in November 2022.
Honorary appointments like this can raise awareness of the challenges the Royal Navy faces, such as recruitment.
The Queen also has other connections to the Armed Forces such as her role as Patron to The Royal Army Chaplains' Department and Patron of British Forces Broadcasting Services (BFBS), BFBS Forces News' parent charity.
She is also Colonel-in-Chief of The Royal Lancers, Colonel of the Grenadier Guards and Colonel-in-Chief of The Rifles.
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