Today is Queen Camilla’s 78th birthday. For the big event, Buckingham Palace released two new portraits of Cam, both taken by Chris Jackson and both taken at Camilla’s private home, Ray Mill. Chris Jackson really did the most for these photos – they brightened one of the pics so much, you can’t even make out Camilla’s chin. LMAO. I mean, all things considered, Camilla’s in pretty good shape for a 78-year-old woman. That’s what decades of gin-pickling does to a person. Well, in addition to the new portraits, Camilla also made a solo trip to Devon on Wednesday, her “birthday eve.” She went to Devon because her husband made Camilla the new Vice Admiral of the United Kingdom.
Queen Camilla has been appointed to a historic royal role on the eve of her 78th birthday. On July 16, the Royal Navy announced Queen Camilla, 77, as the new Vice Admiral of the United Kingdom. The honorary appointment was created by King Henry VIII in 1513. The Queen’s role was commemorated in a ceremony she attended on the HMS Astute, a submarine that she sponsors, in Plymouth.
King Charles’ wife makes history as the first woman to serve as Vice Admiral of the U.K. and the first royal ever appointed to the role. The new title, formally bestowed by the King, could be seen as an early birthday gift ahead of her 78th celebration.
The Queen was all smiles as she arrived at the HMS Astute, appearing at the ceremony marking the end of the ship’s first commission. A statement from the Royal Navy said that the submarine is set to undergo a major overhaul at Devonport Naval Base, and the royal joined the crew in celebrating the Astute’s achievements over the past 15 years — “the longest first commission of any Royal Navy submarine in history.”
Queen Camilla’s appointment pageantry included the presentation of a burgee (or pennant) by Rear Admiral Andy Perks, Head of the Submarine Service, as a gesture recognizing her support for the Royal Navy. Camilla had the honor of naming the HMS Astute in 2007 and has been affiliated with the submarine ever since as sponsor. She also serves as sponsor for the U.K.’s flagship HMS Wales, currently deployed in the Pacific, as well as Commodore-in-Chief of the Royal Navy Medical Service and Naval Chaplaincy Services.
It feels like this probably would have been a better position for Prince William, whose birthday was just a few weeks ago. But William probably didn’t want it and wouldn’t have taken it if offered. Plus, I think Charles just loves to give Camilla these gaudy honorary titles. He thinks he can force the public to love Camilla as much as he does. The public has always been like “nah, we’ll pass.”
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Chris Jackson for Buckingham Palace.
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- Queen Camilla, Lady Sponsor of the HMS Astute, during a visit to HMNB Devonport in Plymouth, Devon, to mark the end of the submarine’s first commission, which is the longest first commission of any Royal Navy submarine in history, at over 15 years. Picture date: Wednesday July 16, 2025. PA Photo. HMS Astute is the lead submarine in the Royal Navy’s fleet of Ship Submerged Nuclear (SSN) or ‘Attack’ Submarines. As Lady Sponsor, the Submarine was named by the then Duchess of Cornwall, in 2007.,Image: 1022538028, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: *** NO UK USE FOR 48 HRS ***, Model Release: no, Credit line: Aaron Chown/Avalon
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- BARNSTAPLE, ENGLAND – JULY 16: Queen Camilla, Patron, Children’s Hospice South West, joins staff, volunteers and families in celebrating the hospice’s 30th anniversary at CHSW Little Bridge House on July 16, 2025 in Barnstaple, England.,Image: 1022538291, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: *** NO UK USE FOR 48 HRS ***, Model Release: no, Credit line: Finnbarr Webster/Avalon
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- BARNSTAPLE, ENGLAND – JULY 16: Queen Camilla, Patron, Children’s Hospice South West, joins staff, volunteers and families in celebrating the hospice’s 30th anniversary at CHSW Little Bridge House on July 16, 2025 in Barnstaple, England.,Image: 1022538330, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: *** NO UK USE FOR 48 HRS ***, Model Release: no, Credit line: Finnbarr Webster/Avalon
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- Queen Camilla is presented with an Admiral’s Burgee (Pennant) to mark her being made a vice admiral, during a garden party for the HMS Astute Ship’s Company and their families at HMS Drake, HMNB Devonport in Plymouth, Devon, to mark the end of the submarine Astute’s first commission, which is the longest first commission of any Royal Navy submarine in history, at over 15 years. Picture date: Wednesday July 16, 2025. PA Photo.,Image: 1022538561, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: *** NO UK USE FOR 48 HRS ***, Model Release: no, Credit line: Aaron Chown/Avalon
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- Queen Camilla during a garden party for the HMS Astute Ship’s Company and their families at HMS Drake, HMNB Devonport in Plymouth, Devon, to mark the end of the submarine Astute’s first commission, which is the longest first commission of any Royal Navy submarine in history, at over 15 years. Picture date: Wednesday July 16, 2025. PA Photo.,Image: 1022538575, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: *** NO UK USE FOR 48 HRS ***, Model Release: no, Credit line: Aaron Chown/Avalon
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- Queen Camilla during a garden party for the HMS Astute Ship’s Company and their families at HMS Drake, HMNB Devonport in Plymouth, Devon, to mark the end of the submarine Astute’s first commission, which is the longest first commission of any Royal Navy submarine in history, at over 15 years. Picture date: Wednesday July 16, 2025. PA Photo.,Image: 1022538575, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: *** NO UK USE FOR 48 HRS ***, Model Release: no, Credit line: Aaron Chown/Avalon
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- Queen Camilla during a garden party for the HMS Astute Ship’s Company and their families at HMS Drake, HMNB Devonport in Plymouth, Devon, to mark the end of the submarine Astute’s first commission, which is the longest first commission of any Royal Navy submarine in history, at over 15 years. Picture date: Wednesday July 16, 2025. PA Photo.,Image: 1022538575, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: *** NO UK USE FOR 48 HRS ***, Model Release: no, Credit line: Aaron Chown/Avalon
