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Ex-First Sea Lord takes on historic Channel role
5 November 2024
Former First Sea Lord Admiral Sir George Zambellas today holds one of the oldest military titles after an historic investiture.
The naval aviator – who served held the highest position in the Royal Navy between 2013 and 2016 – is now Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports, a post held by some of the greatest names in the annals of our isles, include the Duke of Wellington, Winston Churchill and Her Majesty The Queen Mother.
The post has been vacant since the death of Admiral the Lord Boyce two years ago, but earlier this year, King Charles agreed to appoint Admiral Zambellas as the submariner’s successor, an appointment confirmed with the service of investiture at the Grand Court of Shepway in Kent.
The Cinque Ports – despite the title, there were more than a dozen, not five – comprised South Coast towns and Channel ports which banded together from the 13th Century to nurture maritime trade and also protect each other from raiders/pirates.
They were also expected to provide the Crown with vessels when required – subsequently earning the ports the collective title ‘cradle of the Royal Navy’.
By the 15th Century the ports’ role both as trading posts and providing the monarch with ships was waning and today is purely historical.
Among the duties which persists is the role of the grandly-titled Lord Warden and Admiral of the Cinque Ports and Constable of Dover Castle, a position which pre-dates the Norman conquest.
Responsible originally for ‘law and order’ on the High Seas, today it’s a purely ceremonial role at major events, akin to that performed by a lord lieutenant.
It comes with an official residence, Walmer Castle in Kent and an historic investiture in Dover, which takes place in the grounds of the Duke of York’s Royal Military School.
Having worked closely with the late Admiral the Lord Boyce during his naval career and given the ports “once provided the backbone of the English navy”, Admiral Zambellas said he was “deeply honoured” when asked by the King to assume the role.
“With very good reason, the Cinque Ports have been dubbed the “Cradle of the Royal Navy”. Although most are no longer major ports – Dover being the obvious exception – they are proud of their maritime heritage and their centuries-old connection with the British Crown,” Admiral Zambellas said.
“The Royal Navy remains intensely busy with its global operational responsibilities, supporting our great maritime nation, with its dependence upon the sea.”