The rank of admiral is currently the highest rank to which a serving officer in the Royal Navy can be promoted, admiral of the fleet being in abeyance except for honorary promotions of retired officers and members of the royal family.

On 8 March 1287, Sir William de Leybourne was specifically commissioned as the Admiral of the Seas of England (Latin: Admirallus Maris Angliae) and, in 1294, captain of all sailors and mariners of the king's dominions.

[3] Sir John de Botetourt served under him as warden at sea from the Thames to Scotland.

[8] The Royal Navy has had vice and rear admirals regularly appointed to the post since at least the 16th century.

In 1747 the Admiralty restored an element of merit selection to this process by introducing the concept of yellow admirals (formally known as granting an officer the position of "Rear-Admiral without distinction of squadron"), being captains promoted to flag rank on the understanding that they would immediately retire on half-pay.

Although admirals were promoted according to strict seniority, appointments to command were made at the discretion of the Board of Admiralty.

The problem of promoting strictly by seniority was well illustrated by the case of Provo Wallis who served (including time being carried on the books while still a child) for 96 years.

In the time before squadron distinctions were removed or age limits instituted, the death of James Hawkins-Whitshed resulted in ten men moving up to higher ranks.

[14] In 1996, the rank of admiral of the fleet was put in abeyance in peacetime, except for members of the Royal family but was resurrected on an honorary basis in 2014 for the appointment of Lord Boyce.

In 2001 the number of stars on the shoulder board was increased to four, reflecting the equivalence to the OF-9 four-star ranks of other countries.

[15][16] Prior to 1864 the Royal Navy was divided into coloured squadrons which determined his career path.