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Historic naval title for Her Majesty The Queen as she visits HMS Astute in Plymouth
16 July 2025
Her Majesty The Queen today thanked submariners and their families for their unstinting efforts to keep the nation safe when she visited HMS Astute.
During her visit to a rainy Devonport Naval Base, the Sponsor of the nuclear-powered submarine was formally appointed Vice Admiral of the United Kingdom.
She received a burgee (pennant) from the head of the Submarine Service, Rear Admiral Andy Perks, to mark the historic appointment, made in gratitude for her wide-ranging support for the Naval Service.
The Queen spent around 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 inspected a Royal Guard consisting of submariners, before going aboard Astute’s casing (deck) for a photograph with those who have commanded the boat over the past 20 years.
After the portrait, the formal act of ending HMS Astute’s first commission took place on the jetty, during which the Ensign and Union Flag were lowered and the National Anthem played, with the submarine’s crew performing a ‘Cheer Ship’ for their Sponsor in Royal Navy tradition.
And the presentation of the burgee by Rear Admiral Perks symbolically marked Her Majesty’s appointment as Vice Admiral of the United Kingdom, an historic title first awarded by Henry VIII and most recently held by Admiral The Lord Boyce.
The Queen is the first female and only second member of the Royal Family to hold the title.
First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff, General Sir Gwyn Jenkins RM, said the appointment would “further enhance Her Majesty’s relationship with the Service.”
He continued: “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.”
After the formal ceremonies involving HMS Astute, proceedings became more relaxed when they moved to the grounds of HMS Drake, where a garden party was held.
Her Majesty chatted with crew and their families both about Astute’s deeds and also the impact submarine patrols have both on those who serve and on their loved ones left behind.
“We have done multiple operations around the world, so today means everything – that bit of recognition, not for us, but for our families,” said Executive Officer Lieutenant Commander Will Dobson.
“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.”
Chief Petty Officer Stuart ‘Splash’ Ashdown was a member of the commissioning crew of Astute and again now at the end of the first chapter of the boat’s career.
“It’s nice to come full circle – and meet the Queen again,” he said. “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.”
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.
Marine engineer Max Garland didn’t get chance to shake hands with Her Majesty, but enjoyed the occasion all the same.
“It’s been a really good do,” he said. “As a member of the Royal Guard I’ve been practising for the past two weeks, getting up early in the morning to train. Sadly The Queen didn’t get as far as me in the line when chatting with crew.
“I’m a relative newcomer to the boat – I joined four or five months ago, but there are some who’ve been assigned to HMS Astute foe years, so today is something of an end of an era for them.”
Commander Christopher Bate, Astute’s Commanding Officer, said the bond between The Queen and the submarine was one cherished by all aboard.
Not only has Her Majesty visited the submarine at its base in Faslane, including the commissioning ceremony in 2010 and, most recently, during a break between patrols, in 2020, but she also helped crew in their hour of need, Commander Bate revealed.
“On one occasion, when our freezer broke down, she kindly ensured we had a steady supply of tea and biscuits,” he said.
As Astute’s Sponsor, Her Majesty is regarded as a member of the submarine’s crew and, Cdr Bate said, The Queen “has supported us from the very beginning”.
He continued: “She has consistently shown a deep commitment to all aspects of our work. 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.”
That first commission – 15 years, the longest in the Silent Service’s history – has seen Astute clock up a string of firsts as the lead boat in her class of seven (five in service, Agamemnon and Achilles still under construction).
Astute is to visit Australia (supporting HMS Queen Elizabeth’s carrier group deployment and the AUKUS partnership with Washington and Canberra); the through the Suez Canal; the first to visit the USA (for extensive weapons/sonar trials).
The submarine will now be handed over to the team from Babcock International, who will work alongside crew, the MOD and scores of contractors during the multi-million-pound overhaul, known as a Mid Life Re-Validation Period (MLRP).