King Charles III and Queen Camilla are making history together.
The monarch formally bestowed the title of Vice Admiral of the United Kingdom to his wife on July 16, one day before Camilla's 78th birthday, according to the Royal Navy.
Camilla is the first woman to hold the honorary title, which can only be appointed by the sovereign on the nomination of the First Sea Lord, who is currently Sir Gwyn Jenkins.
According to Jenkins, Camilla's new role will "further enhance Her Majesty’s relationship with the Service."
"We are honored to welcome Her Majesty The Queen to HM Naval Base Devonport," he shared in a July 16 statement, shortly after the royal received her new title during a ceremony at the Plymouth-based dockyard. "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."
Of course, this is not the first royal title Charles, 76, has bestowed upon Camilla. When he ascended to the throne following Queen Elizabeth II's death in September 2022, he named Camilla "Queen Consort"—England's first in more than eight decades—in keeping with his late mom's final wishes.
His Majesty went on to issue a Royal Warrant to change his wife's title to "Queen Camilla" in time for their joint coronation in May 2023.
Charles was not present to personally give Camilla her Vice Admiral of the U.K. title on July 16, as he was hosting a reception for youth advocates—including actor Idris Elba—at St. James' Palace in London at the same time.
But working apart is nothing new for the couple. As Camilla told reporters in April, "We are always going in different directions, like ships that pass in the night. We whizz past each other."
That's why she said the secret to her and Charles' 20-year marriage is good communication, with the pair always making time in their lives for "a bit of a catch-up."
"I suppose it's just sort of friendship, really," Camilla added. “Laughing at the same things, getting on with life."
