The rank evolved from the ancient sailing days of Royal Navy squadrons. Each squadron was designated a Colour , that of Red, White, or Blue. Each coloured squadron was assigned an Admiral, who in turn had command over a Vice-Admiral and a Rear Admiral. The Admiral of the Fleet, therefore, commanded the Admirals of the various squadrons and thus, the entirety of the Fleet.
Routine appointments to the rank (and its equivalents in the other British services) ceased in 1996; however, it does still exist and those who have already been appointed are unaffected by this cessation.
Admiral of the Fleet is also used as a title in some of the world's militaries for the most senior officer of the fleet or Commander-in-Chief of the Navy. In the German Kriegsmarine of the Second World War , the equivalent rank was Grand Admiral .
: ''The practice of ordinarily promoting retiring First Sea Lords or Admirals becoming Chief of the Defence Staff to the rank of Admiral of the Fleet was then halted.''
