History question...has there been any member of the Royal Family of England that has served as Adm. or Gen.?

Question

i'm a history buff and i just got this question out of nowhere. I know that alot of the males go into the Royal Navy, Royal Marines or the Army, but aren't they mostly ceremonial units? i understand it would be stupid to risk someone that important on a REAL combat unit, but just out of curiosity, has there EVER been anything of that kind before, where a member of the Royal Family ever been promoted to a position, that's not just ceremonial???

Answer 1

Princess Anne is the head of the WRNS but like you said it was much  ceremonial title, with uniform but I saw her several times during my time in and she most certainly knew what she was doing.

Charles again is more of a figure head whilst his uncle Lord Mountbatten not only served during WW2 he was also largely responsible for the formation of HMS Mercury and all that it stood for, that's why when Lord Mountbatten was blown up by the IRA, HMS Mercury was the main honour guard [was part of that]

Andrew not only served but did so with honour during the Falklands and made may sorties into dangerous places [why do I know this, my brother was on HIS ship and he takes no prisoners, regardless of who you are you do your JOB] and Andrew did with disctintion.

Youngest brother flaked out of Marine training, said it was too hard and he could not hack it, came out and dabbled in acting.

So basically apart from the up and coming generation most of the royals where / are still figure heads.

Of course the Queen her self was in the Land Girls and is an accomplished mechanic, and that was the best she could get her father [the then King] to allow her to do.

Regards

Answer 2

Hello,

Yes:

Admiral Of The Fleet - Lord Louis Montbatten

He was are real admiral making big decisions in the war.

I do not know of any army generals

Cheers,

Michael

Answer 3

King George V was a serving naval officer before becoming Prince of Wales. His son, King George VI, also served in the Royal Navy and was present at the Battle of Jutland in WWI.

Prince Philip was also a serving naval officer throughout WWII.

Answer 4

As noted above, a number of royals have held ceremonial titles as flag officers.  I assume you're asking about members of the royal family who have earned the titles through military service.

Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester - brother of George VI and Elizabeth II's uncle - was a career military officer and achieved the rank of General during World War II.  Another brother, George of Kent, was a Rear Admiral.

Answer 5

Remember, in the old days they were the ones that lead the combat.  Today in modern society, I think not.