Queen in Plymouth for honorary naval appointment

Queen Camilla is set to attend a ceremony on the hunter-killer submarine HMS Astute at Devonport Naval Base in Plymouth.

The Royal Navy will appoint Her Majesty The Queen as Vice Admiral of the United Kingdom, a position created by Henry VIII in 1513, as part of the ceremony.

The navy said the appointment would include the formal presentation of a burgee (pennant) by head of the submarine service, Rear Admiral Andy Perks, recognising the Queen's ongoing support.

First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff General Sir Gwyn Jenkins RM said the Queen's visit had been a "tremendous boost to morale and the honorary appointment reflects the high regard in which Her Majesty is held by all of us".

The Queen, who is a sponsor to HMS Astute, will attend a ceremony to mark the end of the submarine's first commission and celebrate its achievements over the past 15 years – the longest first commission of any Royal Navy submarine in history.

The hunter-killer submarine was about to undergo a major overhaul at Devonport to allow it to continue patrols safeguarding the UK's interests for many years to come, the navy said.

HMS Astute commanding officer Commander Christopher Bate said Queen Camilla had supported the vessel since "the very beginning".

"She has consistently shown a deep commitment to all aspects of our work," he said.

He added: "Her continued engagement with our activities and achievements over the years has meant a great deal to us.

"It is a proud and memorable moment to welcome Her Majesty to HMS Astute and for her meet our families as we mark the end of our first commission."

Mr Bate said the crew took enormous pride in her sponsorship of their submarine – and her support for all aboard since she formally named HMS Astute nearly 20 years ago as the Duchess of Cornwall.

The Queen most recently visited the boat during a break in operations in Faslane five years ago.

In addition to HMS Astute, Her Majesty is sponsor of the UK's flagship HMS Prince of Wales, currently deployed to the Pacific, and Commodore-in-Chief of the Royal Navy Medical Service and Naval Chaplaincy Services.

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