On the eve of her 78th birthday, Queen Camilla has received an unprecedented honor in the history of the British monarchy: she has been named Vice Admiral of the United Kingdom.
The title, never before bestowed upon a female member of the royal family, marks a symbolic milestone in an institution steeped in centuries of tradition.
The ceremony was held at the Devonport naval base in Plymouth during a commemorative event for HMS Astute, a submarine she has sponsored since 2007.
Far from being a purely ceremonial gesture, it demonstrates the Queen’s active connection with the Navy.
Camilla has shown her commitment to the crew by sending letters and small gifts such as tea and biscuits during their missions.
Rear Admiral Andy Perks was responsible for presenting her with the official pennant in recognition of her constant support. The crew themselves paid tribute to her as she descended to inspect the submarine.
The title comes at a complex time for the Royal Family. Her husband, King Charles III, continues to receive cancer treatment, which has reduced his public schedule.
In this scenario, Camilla has shouldered much of the institutional weight, making this tribute even more significant.
During the day, in addition to the pennant, the queen received an unexpected and humorous gift: a roll of transparent film mounted on a wooden base, alluding to an inside joke among the crew.
According to the sailors, this material helped keep the submarine’s engines running in a critical situation. Camilla received the gift with laughter.