Lord High Admiral of the United Kingdom | |
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![]() Flag of the Lord High Admiral | |
since 2022 | |
Type | Great Officer of State |
Appointer | The Monarch |
Term length | At His Majesty's pleasure |
Precursor |
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Formation |
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First holder | The 3rd Earl of Arundel as High Admiral of England, Ireland and Aquitaine |
Deputy | Vice-Admiral of the United Kingdom |
The Lord High Admiral of the United Kingdom (of England beginning in the 14th century, later of Great Britain from 1707 to 1800)[1] is the ceremonial head of the Royal Navy. Most have been courtiers or members of the British royal family, and not professional naval officers. The Lord High Admiral is one of the nine English Great Officers of State and since 2021 is held personally by the reigning monarch (currently King Charles III).[2]
Upon H.M the Queen's death, the title of Lord High Admiral, previously held by The Duke of Edinburgh (a gift for his 90th Birthday) and subsequently Her Majesty, has reverted back to the crown. Whilst the King may choose to grant the position to someone else, it is a position that he holds by default, as without a Lord High Admiral there can be no navy. As sovereign King Charles III now also holds the position of Admiral of the Fleet as his mother did before him.