The Flag Officer Portsmouth[1] was created following changes in the naval shore command organisation in the United Kingdom in July 1969.

First established in May 1971 until July that year when the title was altered to Flag Officer, Spithead.

On 14 October 1968 it was announced in the House Commons debate on the Ministry of Defence discussing part of the changes in the Naval Shore Command Organisation in the United Kingdom, the duties of Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth and Admiral-Superintendent Portsmouth will be carried out by one Flag Officer.

In July 1969 the HQ of the C-in-C Portsmouth until that post, together with that of C-in-C Plymouth, were subsumed into the post of Commander-in-Chief, Naval Home Command based in Portsmouth.

[3] Flag Officer Portsmouth reported to the Commander-in-Chief, Naval Home Command.