Happy birthday Queen Camilla! The royal turns 78 today - and her husband King Charles III has really gone all out when it comes to her gift.
The British monarch, 76, and Queen Consort have been married for twenty years and they celebrated the exciting milestone in April with a lavish state trip to Italy.
And now, as they celebrate another of Camilla’s birthdays together, it appears that Charles has gifted her something that money can’t buy. He also bestowed the special present upon her one day early, according to a press release from the royal navy.
So what is it? Well, it’s something that’s not tangible rather than an actual physical gift and it also means she’s made history.
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Under The King’s appointment, his wife was given the title of Vice Admiral of the United Kingdom, following her recent visit to a rainy Devonport Naval Base.
Camilla is the first woman ever to hold this role, marking a very important moment in history for the British monarchy. She is also only the second member of the Royal Family to hold the title.
The title can only be appointed by the sovereign on the nomination of the First Sea Lord, which is currently Sir Gwyn Jenkins.
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It was first awarded by Henry VIII, and was most recently held by Admiral The Lord Boyce.
Her new role will ‘’further enhance Her Majesty’s relationship with the Service,’ Jenkins explained.
In a statement, the navy boss said: “We are honoured to welcome Her Majesty The Queen to HM Naval Base Devonport. Her Majesty’s visit has been a tremendous boost to morale, and the honorary appointment reflects the high regard in which Her Majesty is held by all of us.”
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Camilla received a burgee (pennant) from the head of the Submarine Service, Rear Admiral Andy Perks, to mark the historic appointment, made specially in gratitude for her wide-ranging support for the Naval Service.
During the trip, the Queen spent roughly 90 minutes in the naval base, firstly by the waterside for a ceremony celebrating the end of the first chapter of HMS Astute’s career.
She chatted with crew and their families about the impact submarine patrols have both on those who serve and on their loved ones left behind.
Executive Officer Lieutenant Commander Will Dobson said: ‘We have done multiple operations around the world, so today means everything – that bit of recognition, not for us, but for our families.”
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He added: “Our families have a much harder time when we are away than we do. We are doing what we love, what we signed up to do.
“So for them to meet The Queen and be recognised, it’s really special.
“People do not often get to see or hear about what we do, so its good promotion for the Submarine Service in general.”
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Chief Petty Officer Stuart ‘Splash’ Ashdown added: “It’s nice to come full circle - and meet the Queen again.
“She is constantly in touch, sending letters, Christmas cards and the like when we’re away.
“For the crew, today is an important event. Every member of HMS Astute’s crew has put a lot of work in over the past 15 years, but the current crew especially, to keep her at sea and provide an operational platform.”
Topics: Queen Camilla, King Charles III, Royal Family, UK News
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Madison Burgess