Royal Navy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Royal Navy |
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| Founded | 1546 |
| Country |
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| Type | Navy |
| Role | Naval warfare |
| Size |
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| Part of | His Majesty's Naval Service |
| Naval Staff Offices | Whitehall, London, United Kingdom |
| Nickname(s) | Senior Service |
| Motto(s) | "Si vis pacem, para bellum" (Latin) (If you wish for peace, prepare for war) |
| Colours | Red White |
| March | Quick – "Heart of Oak" Slow – Westering Home (de facto) |
| Fleet |
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| Commanders | |
| Commander-in-Chief and Lord High Admiral | King Charles III |
| First Sea Lord | Admiral Sir Ben Key |
| Second Sea Lord | Vice Admiral Martin Connell |
| Fleet Commander | Vice Admiral Andrew Burns |
| Warrant Officer to the Royal Navy | Warrant Officer 1 Jim Wright |
| Insignia | |
| White Ensign |
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| Naval jack |
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| Pennant |
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| King's Colour |
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| Aircraft flown | |
| Attack | |
| Fighter | |
| Patrol |
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| Reconnaissance |
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| Trainer |
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| Transport |
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The Royal Navy (RN) is the naval force of the United Kingdom. It also protects the British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies. It is part of His Majesty's Naval Service.
Warships were used by English and Scottish kings a long time ago. But the first big sea battles happened during the Hundred Years' War against France. The Royal Navy we know today started in the early 1500s. It is the oldest of the UK's armed services. That is why it is called the Senior Service.
From the 1800s until World War II, it was the strongest navy in the world. The Royal Navy helped create and protect the British Empire. It had many bases and ports around the world to keep its power at sea. After World War I, its size was greatly reduced. During the Cold War, the Royal Navy mainly hunted for Soviet submarines. It was very active in the GIUK gap (a sea area between Greenland, Iceland, and the UK).
After the Soviet Union broke apart, the Navy focused on missions around the world. It is still one of the world's top navies that can operate far from home.
The Royal Navy has many advanced ships, submarines, and aircraft. These include 2 large aircraft carriers. It also has 2 amphibious transport docks. These ships help land troops and equipment. The Navy has 4 ballistic missile submarines that carry nuclear weapons. It also has 6 nuclear fleet submarines. The fleet includes 6 destroyers and 9 frigates. There are also 7 mine-countermeasure vessels and 26 patrol vessels.
As of May 2024, the Royal Navy has 66 ships ready for duty. This includes submarines and one historic ship, HMS Victory. The Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) has 13 more ships. The RFA helps Royal Navy warships at sea. It also helps with landing troops and equipment.
The Royal Navy is part of His Majesty's Naval Service. This service also includes the Royal Marines and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. The main leader of the Naval Service is the First Sea Lord. This person is an admiral and part of the Defence Council of the United Kingdom. The Royal Navy has three main bases in Britain for its ships and submarines. These are Portsmouth, Clyde and Devonport. Devonport is the largest naval base in Western Europe. It also has two naval air stations for aircraft: RNAS Yeovilton and RNAS Culdrose.
Contents
- What the Royal Navy Does
- A Look at Royal Navy History
- Ships and Resources
- Naval Bases
- Current Missions
- How the Royal Navy is Organized
- Names and Titles
- Ranks and Insignia
- Customs and Traditions
- Navy Cadets
- The Royal Navy in Popular Culture
- See also
The Royal Navy is the sea part of HM Armed Forces. It has several important jobs. Here are its six main roles:
- Preventing Conflict: It works to stop conflicts around the world and in specific regions.
- Providing Security At Sea: It helps keep international trade routes safe and stable.
- International Partnerships: It strengthens relationships with the UK's allies, like NATO.
- Maintaining a Readiness To Fight: It stays ready to protect the United Kingdom's interests globally.
- Protecting the Economy: It guards important trade routes to ensure the UK's and its allies' wealth.
- Providing Humanitarian Aid: It offers quick help during global disasters.
Medieval Times
In the 10th century, the English fleet was very important. King Aethelred II once had a huge fleet built. During Danish rule in the 11th century, a standing fleet was kept through taxes. This continued under King Edward the Confessor.
After the Norman conquest, England's naval power seemed to get weaker. Most medieval fleets were made of merchant ships used for war. Sometimes, the king would build a few "king's ships" for fighting. But England did not keep a small group of warships in peacetime.
The Hundred Years' War in the 14th century brought a big threat from France. In 1340, King Edward III of England destroyed the French fleet at the Battle of Sluys. This stopped French plans to invade England. English ships then mostly carried armies and supplies to France. However, French and their allies often raided English coastal towns.
King Henry VII helped create a permanent navy. He started building larger ships and invested in dockyards. In 1495, he opened the oldest surviving dry dock at Portsmouth.
From 1500 to 1707
A permanent "Navy Royal" with its own offices and dockyards began under Henry VIII. Under Elizabeth I, England fought Spain. Private ships joined the Queen's ships to raid Spanish trade and colonies.
In 1588, Philip II of Spain sent the Spanish Armada to invade England. He wanted to stop English support for Dutch rebels and end English ship attacks. The plan failed due to bad planning, English attacks, Dutch blocking actions, and bad storms.
In the early 1600s, England's navy became weaker. Pirates often raided English ships and towns, taking people as slaves. The Navy had little success stopping them. King Charles I built many warships, but his ways of raising money for the fleet led to the English Civil War. After the monarchy was removed, the new Commonwealth of England greatly expanded the Navy. It became the most powerful in the world.
New laws that said all trade to and from England must be on English ships led to war with the Dutch Republic. In the First Anglo-Dutch War (1652–1654), English ships were larger and better armed. But the Dutch had better tactics. English improvements led to big victories in 1653, bringing peace. This was the first war where England mostly used warships built for fighting.
The English monarchy returned in 1660 with Charles II. He rebuilt the Navy, but it was no longer his personal property. It became a national institution, called "The Royal Navy."
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The Dutch improved their navy after their defeat. The Second Anglo-Dutch War (1665–1667) was a tough fight. In 1667, Charles II ran out of money and had to keep his fleet in port. The Dutch then launched the Raid on the Medway. They broke into Chatham Dockyard and burned many of the Navy's largest ships. In the Third Anglo-Dutch War (1672–1674), England and France fought the Dutch. But the battles were not decisive.
By the end of the 1600s, the Navy stopped the threat from the Barbary pirates. After the Glorious Revolution of 1688, England joined a group against France. France had the largest navy then. The allies lost at Beachy Head (1690). But a victory at Barfleur-La Hogue (1692) marked the start of English (later British) sea power.
During the 17th century, the Navy became a fully professional force. It used only dedicated warships and had trained officers.
1707 to 1815
In 1707, the Acts of Union created the Kingdom of Great Britain. The Royal Scots Navy joined with the English Royal Navy to form the new Royal Navy. For over a century, the Royal Navy was the world's largest sea force. It kept its power through better funding, tactics, training, and ship design.
During the War of the Spanish Succession (1702–1714), the Navy worked with the Dutch against France and Spain. They captured Gibraltar and Minorca, which became important Navy bases. A big victory at Vigo Bay (1702) helped clear the seas of enemies.
Later, in the Seven Years' War (1756–1763), the Navy helped conquer French Canada and colonies in the Caribbean. A French plan to invade Britain was stopped at the Battle of Quiberon Bay in 1759. The British fleet removed the French Navy from the war.
In the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783), France, Spain, and the Netherlands joined against Britain. This made the Royal Navy lose its top position for a short time. The most important event was the Battle of the Chesapeake in 1781. The British fleet failed to break the French blockade, leading to the surrender of British forces at Yorktown. This led to the independence of the Thirteen Colonies.
In the 1790s, Gilbert Blane helped get rid of scurvy in the Royal Navy. Sailors were given fresh lemon juice. Other navies soon copied this idea.
The French Revolutionary Wars (1793–1801) and Napoleonic Wars (1803–1815) saw the Royal Navy at its best. It blocked enemy navies in port. It won early at the Glorious First of June (1794). The Dutch navy was mostly defeated at the Battle of Camperdown in 1797.
Horatio Nelson's fleet destroyed the French fleet at the Battle of the Nile in 1798. This left Napoleon's army stranded. A British attack on Denmark at the Battle of Copenhagen (1801) forced Denmark to make peace.
The Navy also captured many French colonies. After a short peace, war started again in 1803. Napoleon tried to gather a fleet to invade England. But Nelson defeated the combined French and Spanish fleet at Trafalgar (1805). This victory made the Royal Navy the undisputed master of the seas until the early 1900s.
1815 to 1914
Between 1815 and 1914, the Navy faced few major battles. During this time, naval warfare changed a lot. Ships began to use steam power, metal construction, and explosive weapons. Even though the Navy had to replace its entire fleet, it kept its strong advantage.
Britain's lead in the Industrial Revolution gave it great shipbuilding power and money. This meant no rival could catch up. In 1889, the Naval Defence Act said the Royal Navy should have as many battleships as the next two largest navies combined.
The Navy's first big action was the Bombardment of Algiers in 1816. This forced Algiers to free Christian slaves. In 1827, British, French, and Russian navies defeated an Ottoman fleet at the Battle of Navarino. This was the last major battle between sailing ships. The Royal Navy also fought piracy in the South China Sea. From 1807 to 1865, it blocked the coast of Africa to stop the illegal slave trade.
At the end of the 19th century, Jackie Fisher made big changes. He got rid of older ships to make money and men available for new ones. He also oversaw the building of HMS Dreadnought, launched in 1906. This ship was so fast and powerful that all older battleships became outdated. Germany tried to build more dreadnoughts than Britain. But Britain managed to keep a large lead.
World Wars (1914-1945)
During World War I and World War II, the Royal Navy was vital. It protected supplies of food, weapons, and raw materials coming to Britain. It defeated German submarine attacks in both Battles of the Atlantic.
In World War I, most of the Navy's power was in the Grand Fleet. It faced the German High Seas Fleet across the North Sea. The British had more ships, so the German fleet stopped trying to challenge them.
The biggest threat came from German U-boats (submarines) attacking merchant ships. In 1917, Germany started sinking ships without warning. This threatened to starve Britain. The Navy started using a convoy system, where warships protected groups of merchant ships. This greatly reduced losses.
After World War I, the Royal Navy became smaller due to naval treaties. But tensions grew in the 1930s. By 1938, countries were ignoring treaty limits. The Royal Navy began building new battleships and aircraft carriers. It also improved older ships and developed new technologies like ASDIC (sonar) and Huff-Duff.
At the start of World War II in 1939, the Royal Navy was the largest in the world. It had over 1,400 ships. The Navy helped evacuate British troops from Dunkirk. At Taranto, Admiral Cunningham led the first all-aircraft naval attack in history.
The Royal Navy lost many ships in the first two years of the war. This included famous ships like HMS Courageous, HMS Glorious, HMS Ark Royal, and HMS Hood. But it also had successes, like sinking the German battleships Bismarck in 1941 and Scharnhorst in 1943.
The most important fight was the Battle of the Atlantic. The Navy had to protect Britain's supply lines from U-boat attacks. German submarines used "wolf-pack" tactics, which were very effective. But new escort ships, aircraft, and better anti-submarine weapons helped. By spring 1943, the U-boat threat was largely broken.
Naval power was also key for British forces fighting in North Africa, the Mediterranean, and the Far East. It was essential for landing troops in places like Northwest Africa, Sicily, Italy, and Normandy. By the end of the war, the Royal Navy had over 4,800 ships. It was the second largest fleet in the world.
After World War II
After World War II, the British Empire became smaller. Economic problems in Britain also forced the Royal Navy to shrink. The powerful United States Navy took over the Royal Navy's role as a global naval power. The threat from the Soviet Union and Britain's worldwide duties gave the Navy a new purpose.
In the 1960s, HMS Dreadnought, the Royal Navy's first nuclear submarine, was launched. The Navy also got its first nuclear weapons with the Resolution-class submarines. By the 1990s, the Navy was in charge of all of the UK's nuclear weapons.
In the mid-1960s, plans for new, large aircraft carriers were cancelled to save money. Existing carriers were updated. But by the early 1980s, most had been removed from service. Only Hermes remained, updated to operate Sea Harriers. The fleet then focused on fighting submarines in the North Atlantic.
One of the most important operations after World War II was the 1982 Falkland Islands War against Argentina. The Royal Navy fought and won a war over 8,000 miles from Britain. HMS Conqueror was the only nuclear submarine to sink an enemy ship, the ARA General Belgrano. This war showed how important aircraft carriers and submarines were.
After the Falklands War, the Navy began to rebuild its ability to send forces far from home. New and more capable ships were built, like the Sheffield-class destroyers and Albion-class landing ships. However, these new ships were not built in the same numbers as the older ones they replaced.
The Royal Navy also took part in the Gulf War, the Kosovo conflict, the Afghanistan Campaign, and the 2003 Iraq War. In 2005, the Royal Navy rescued seven Russians from a stranded submarine.
The global economic problems of 2008 affected the Navy. Many ships and aircraft were retired. In 2015, the Royal Navy helped rescue migrants crossing the Mediterranean from Libya to Italy.
Ships and Resources
HMS Raleigh in Torpoint, Cornwall, is where new sailors get their basic training. Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth, Devon trains new officers. People in the Navy work in different areas, like officers who lead ships, pilots, engineers, medical staff, and logistics officers. They have different uniforms for different duties.
Women joined the Royal Navy in 1917. They were fully integrated into the Navy in 1993. Women now serve in all parts of the Royal Navy, including the Royal Marines.
In August 2019, the Ministry of Defence reported that the Royal Navy had 29,090 full-time trained people. This was less than their goal of 30,600. In 2023, it was reported that the Royal Navy was finding it hard to recruit enough people.
Surface Ships
Aircraft Carriers
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The Royal Navy has two Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers. Each carrier cost about £3 billion and weighs 65,000 tonnes. They operate F-35 Lightning II jets that can take off and land vertically. HMS Queen Elizabeth started sea trials in 2017 and entered service in 2020. The second, HMS Prince of Wales, started sea trials in 2019 and was ready for operations in 2021. These carriers are key to the UK Carrier Strike Group.
Amphibious Ships
The Navy has two landing platform docks: HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark. Their main job is to help land troops and equipment. They also help with humanitarian aid missions. As of 2024, both ships were in reserve.
Diving Units
The Royal Navy's diving unit is called the Diving and Threat Exploitation Group. It has five squadrons. The Special Boat Service (SBS), a special forces unit, also has divers.
Escort Ships
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The escort fleet includes guided missile destroyers and frigates. As of May 2024, there are six Type 45 destroyers and nine Type 23 frigates. Their main job is to protect larger ships from air, surface, and underwater threats.
The Type 45 destroyers are built to defend against aircraft and missiles. They have the Sea Viper anti-aircraft system with advanced radars and Aster missiles.
Sixteen Type 23 frigates were built. The last one, HMS St Albans, was ready in 2002. Some have been sold to the Chilean Navy. The remaining Type 23 frigates will be replaced by the Type 26 Frigate and Type 31e frigates.
Mine Countermeasure Vessels (MCMV)
The Royal Navy has one Sandown-class minehunter and six Hunt-class mine countermeasures vessels. These ships find and remove sea mines. The Sandown-class ships will be replaced by robotic systems by 2025. The Hunt-class ships can also act as offshore patrol vessels.
Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV)
The Navy has eight River-class offshore patrol vessels. Three of these ships patrol UK waters, protecting sovereignty and fisheries. The other five are sent to places like Gibraltar, the Caribbean, the Falkland Islands, and the Indo-Pacific.
Survey Ships
HMS Protector is a special ship that patrols the Antarctica region. It supports the British Antarctic Survey. HMS Scott is a large ocean survey vessel. HMS Magpie also helps with survey duties. The Royal Fleet Auxiliary will get two new ships to protect undersea cables and gas pipelines.
Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA)
The Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) helps the Royal Navy at sea. It has ships that refuel and resupply the fleet. It also has ships for aviation training and treating casualties. The RFA has three amphibious transport docks, called Bay-class landing ships. These ships help land troops.
In February 2023, a commercial ship was bought to protect important undersea structures. It is called RFA Proteus. Another ship, RFA Stirling Castle, was bought in 2023 to act as a "mothership" for robotic minehunting systems.
Other Ships
The Royal Navy also has smaller ships like the Sea-class workboats. In 2022, a new experimental ship, XV Patrick Blackett, was launched. It will be used to test new robotic systems.
Submarine Service
The Submarine Service is the part of the Royal Navy that uses submarines. It is sometimes called the "Silent Service" because submarines need to stay hidden. It started in 1901. In 1982, during the Falklands War, HMS Conqueror became the first nuclear submarine to sink an enemy surface ship. Today, all Royal Navy submarines are powered by nuclear energy.
Ballistic Missile Submarines (SSBN)
The Royal Navy has four Vanguard-class ballistic missile submarines. They weigh almost 16,000 tonnes. They carry Trident II missiles with nuclear weapons and heavyweight Spearfish torpedoes. These submarines carry out Operation Relentless, which is the UK's continuous nuclear deterrent at sea. The UK plans to replace these with four new Dreadnought-class submarines in the early 2030s.
Fleet Submarines (SSN)
As of August 2022, there are six fleet submarines. One is a Trafalgar-class and five are Astute-class. Two more Astute-class submarines will join the fleet by the mid-2020s. The remaining Trafalgar-class submarine will be retired.
The Trafalgar class submarines weigh about 5,300 tonnes underwater. They carry Tomahawk missiles and Spearfish torpedoes. The Astute-class submarines are much larger at 7,400 tonnes. They carry more Tomahawk missiles and Spearfish torpedoes. HMS Anson was the newest Astute-class submarine to join the Navy.
Fleet Air Arm
The Fleet Air Arm (FAA) is the part of the Royal Navy that flies aircraft. It started in 1912. The FAA currently uses AW-101 Merlin HC4 helicopters for the Commando Helicopter Force. It also uses AW-159 Wildcat HM2 helicopters. The AW101 Merlin HM2 is used for finding submarines. The F-35B Lightning II jets are used on aircraft carriers.
Royal Marines
The Royal Marines are a special light infantry force of commandos. They can be sent quickly to support the UK government's military goals overseas. They are organized into a highly mobile brigade (3 Commando Brigade) and other commando units. The Royal Marines work in all environments and climates. They are experts in amphibious warfare (landings from the sea), Arctic warfare, and mountain warfare. They are also the main source of people for the Royal Navy's special forces unit, the Special Boat Service (SBS).
The Royal Marines have their own landing craft. They also include the Royal Marines Band Service, which is the musical part of the Royal Navy.
The Royal Marines have fought in many wars, often with the British Army. These include the Seven Years' War, the Napoleonic Wars, and both World Wars. More recently, they have been in the Falklands War, the Gulf War, and the War in Afghanistan. The Royal Marines have strong ties with other marine forces, like the United States Marine Corps and the Netherlands Marine Corps.
The Royal Navy uses three main naval bases in the UK. Each base has its own group of ships ready for duty. There are also two naval air stations and a support base in Bahrain.
UK Bases
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- HMNB Devonport (HMS Drake) – This is the largest naval base in Western Europe. It is home to the Navy's two amphibious assault ships (HMS Albion and Bulwark). It also hosts more than half of the Type 23 frigates. Devonport is home to the last Trafalgar-class submarine.
- HMNB Portsmouth (HMS Nelson) – This base is home to the Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers. Portsmouth also hosts the Type 45 destroyers and some Type 23 frigates.
- HMNB Clyde (HMS Neptune) – Located in Central Scotland, Faslane is home to the UK's nuclear deterrent. It holds the Vanguard-class ballistic missile submarines and the Astute-class fleet submarines. By 2022/23, all Royal Navy submarines will be based here. Royal Marines are also stationed here to guard the base.
- RNAS Yeovilton (HMS Heron) – Yeovilton is home to the Commando Helicopter Force and Wildcat Maritime Force.
- RNAS Culdrose (HMS Seahawk) – This is home to Mk2 Merlins, used for anti-submarine warfare and early airborne warning. Culdrose is currently the largest helicopter base in Europe.
Bases Abroad
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- UK National Support Element (Bahrain) – This is the main port for ships on Operation Kipion. It is the center of the Royal Navy's work in the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, and Indian Ocean.
- UK Joint Logistics Support Base (Oman) – A supply base in the Middle East outside the Persian Gulf.
- British Defence Singapore Support Unit (Singapore) – This unit repairs and resupplies Royal Navy ships in the Asia Pacific region.
- HMNB Gibraltar – A Royal Navy dockyard in Gibraltar used for repairs, training, and resupply.
- Mare Harbour (Falkland Islands) – This port supports RAF Mount Pleasant, the main British base in the Falkland Islands. It also helps the British Antarctic Survey ship.
The Royal Navy's main job is to protect British interests at home and abroad. It carries out the government's foreign and defense plans. The Royal Navy is also a key part of Britain's contribution to NATO.
Current Missions
The Royal Navy is currently deployed in many parts of the world. This includes tasks at home and overseas. In the Mediterranean, RN ships are part of NATO deployments. In both the North and South Atlantic, RN vessels are patrolling. There is always a ship patrolling the Falkland Islands, currently HMS Forth.
The Royal Navy has a Response Force Task Group. This group is ready to respond quickly to different situations around the world. These can include helping people leave dangerous areas, disaster relief, or landing troops.
In the Persian Gulf, the RN helps stabilize the region. The Armilla Patrol, started in 1980, is the Navy's main commitment there. The Royal Navy also helps train the Iraqi Navy and secure Iraq's oil terminals.
The Royal Navy contributes to NATO forces. It also helps the Five Powers Defence Arrangements countries and sometimes deploys to the Far East. Operation Atalanta, the European Union's anti-piracy mission in the Indian Ocean, is led by a Royal Navy officer.
Since 2015, the Royal Navy has reformed its UK Carrier Strike Group (UKCSG). The Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers are the main part of this group. They are supported by other ships. The UKCSG aims to project power using its carriers.
In 2019, the Royal Navy announced two Littoral Response Groups. These groups are special forces units that can be sent quickly to coastal areas. They can carry out raids and precision strikes. One group started in Europe in 2021. The second will be in the Indo-Pacific from 2023.
The official head of the Royal Navy is the Lord High Admiral. This position is held by the reigning Monarch, currently King Charles III. The professional head is the First Sea Lord. This person is an admiral and part of the Defence Council of the United Kingdom. The Defence Council manages the Naval Service through the Admiralty Board.
Organization Structure
The Fleet Commander is in charge of making sure ships, submarines, and aircraft are ready for operations. The Fleet Commander works from the Navy Command Headquarters in Portsmouth. An operations center, the Northwood Headquarters, is in Northwood, London. It is also where the UK's armed forces and a NATO command are located.
The Royal Navy was the first of the UK's armed forces to combine its personnel and training command with its operations command. This happened in 2005, becoming Navy Command in 2008. The Second Sea Lord is in charge of personnel.
The main leaders in Naval Command are:
| Rank | Name | Position | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Professional Head of the Royal Navy | |||||
| Admiral | Sir Ben Key | First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff | |||
| Fleet Commander | |||||
| Vice Admiral | Andrew Burns | Fleet Commander | |||
| Rear Admiral | Edward Ahlgren | Commander Operations | |||
| Rear Admiral | Robert Pedre | Commander United Kingdom Strike Force | |||
| Second Sea Lord & Deputy Chief of Naval Staff | |||||
| Vice Admiral | Martin Connell | Second Sea Lord & Deputy Chief of Naval Staff | |||
| Rear Admiral | James Parkin | Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Capability) and Director Development | |||
| Rear Admiral | Anthony Rimington | Director Strategy and Policy | |||
| Rear Admiral | Jude Terry | Director People and Training / Naval Secretary | |||
| The Venerable | Andrew Hillier | Chaplain of the Fleet | |||
The Commandant General Royal Marines leads amphibious operations. The current CG RM is General Gwyn Jenkins.
The Royal Navy has three main bases in the UK: Portsmouth, Clyde, and Devonport in Plymouth. Devonport is the largest naval base in the UK and Western Europe. Each base has a commander in charge of its ships and submarines. The 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines is based in Plymouth.
The academy for future Royal Navy officers is Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth, Devon. Basic training for new sailors happens at HMS Raleigh in Torpoint, Cornwall.
Many Navy personnel work in the Ministry of Defence or are exchanged with the Army and Royal Air Force. Some are also with other government departments or allied navies. Small groups of personnel are stationed around the world to support ongoing missions.
In 2014, the UK announced it would expand its naval facilities in Bahrain. This will be the UK's first permanent military base East of Suez since 1971. The base will be large enough for Type 45 destroyers and Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers.
Names and Titles
When it started in 1546, the Navy was called the "Navy Royal." During a time when England had no king (the interregnum), it was called the "Commonwealth Navy." After the king returned in 1660, it was renamed "The Royal Navy," which it is still called today.
Navies of other Commonwealth countries where the British monarch is also head of state include their national name, like the Royal Australian Navy. Some navies of other monarchies are also called "Royal Navy" in their own language.
Of Ships
Royal Navy ships in service are called "His Majesty's Ship" (or "Her Majesty's Ship" if the monarch is a queen). This is shortened to "HMS." For example, HMS Beagle. Submarines are called "HM Submarine," also shortened to "HMS."
Names for ships are chosen by a committee. Ships in the same class often have similar themes for their names. For example, the Type 23 frigates are named after British dukes. Names are often reused, so a new ship can carry the history and honors of older ships. Each ship also has a pennant number that shows its role. For example, the destroyer HMS Daring (D32) has the number 'D32'.
Ranks and Insignia
The Royal Navy's ranks, rates, and badges are part of its uniform. Many other navies around the world base their uniforms on the Royal Navy's style.
| Royal Navy officer rank insignia | |||||||||||||
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| NATO Code | OF-10 | OF-9 | OF-8 | OF-7 | OF-6 | OF-5 | OF-4 | OF-3 | OF-2 | OF-1 | OF(D) | ||
 United Kingdom Epaulette Rank Insignia (View) |
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| Rank Title: | Admiral of the Fleet | Admiral | Vice admiral | Rear admiral | Commodore | Captain | Commander | Lieutenant commander | Lieutenant | Sub-Lieutenant | Midshipman | Officer Cadet | |
| Abbreviation: | Adm. of the Fleet | Adm | VAdm | RAdm | Cdre | Capt | Cdr | Lt Cdr | Lt | Sub Lt / SLt | Mid | OC | |
| Royal Navy other rank insignia | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NATO Code | OR-9 | OR-8 | OR-7 | OR-6 | OR-5 | OR-4 | OR-2 |
| United Kingdom Rank Insignia (View) |
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| Rank Title: | Warrant Officer 1 | Warrant Officer 2 | Chief Petty Officer | Petty Officer | Leading Rating | Able Rating | |
| Abbreviation: | WO1 | WO2 | CPO | PO | LH | AB | |
Customs and Traditions
Traditions
The Royal Navy has many formal customs. These include using special flags called ensigns and ship badges. Royal Navy ships fly the White Ensign at the back when in port during the day and at the main mast when sailing. The Union Jack is flown at the front when in port. It can only be flown while sailing to show a court-martial is happening or if an admiral of the fleet is on board.
A Fleet Review is when the fleet gathers before the monarch. The first one was in 1400. The most recent was in 2005 to mark 200 years since the Battle of Trafalgar. 167 ships from many nations attended, with 67 from the Royal Navy.
"Jackspeak"
There are also less formal traditions, like nicknames and Navy slang called "Jackspeak". The Navy is sometimes called "The Andrew" or "The Senior Service." British sailors are called "Jack" (or "Jenny") or "Matelots." Royal Marines are called "Bootnecks" or "Royals." A game played by the Navy is "Uckers," which is like Ludo.
The Royal Navy supports three youth groups:
- Volunteer Cadet Corps – This group was the first youth organization officially supported by the Navy in 1901.
- Combined Cadet Force – This is for school students, with Royal Navy and Royal Marines sections.
- Sea Cadets – This group supports teenagers interested in naval matters. It includes Sea Cadets and Royal Marines Cadets.
The Royal Navy from the 18th century is shown in many novels and films about the mutiny on the Bounty. The Navy's campaigns during the Napoleonic Wars are a popular topic for historical novels. Some well-known books include Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey-Maturin series and C. S. Forester's Horatio Hornblower stories. Other famous novels set during World War II are Alistair MacLean's HMS Ulysses and Nicholas Monsarrat's The Cruel Sea.
The Navy also appears in many films. The spy James Bond is officially a commander in the Royal Navy. The Royal Navy is featured in The Spy Who Loved Me and Tomorrow Never Dies. Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World is based on Patrick O'Brian's books. The Pirates of the Caribbean films show the Navy chasing pirates. Noël Coward directed and starred in In Which We Serve, a 1942 film about a fictional Royal Navy ship during World War II. Other films about the Royal Navy include Sink the Bismarck! and The Battle of River Plate.
C. S. Forester's Hornblower novels have been made into a TV series. The BBC also had a TV drama series called Warship in the 1970s. Documentaries like Sailor and Submarine have shown daily life in the Navy. The popular BBC radio comedy series The Navy Lark featured a fictional warship and ran for many years.
See also
In Spanish: Marina Real británica para niños
