HMS 'Britannia' sailing from the Hamoaze to Plymouth Sound, with the Duke of Clarence on...

Creator: Thomas Lyde Hornbrook This shows the 'Britannia' of 120 guns moving down from Devonport to Plymouth Sound on 27 July 1828, flying the Hanoverian royal standard at the main. This signified the presence on board of George IV's brother Prince William Henry, Duke of Clarence and, from April 1827, Lord High Admiral. It was the first time the 'Britannia', had been to sea on what was a pre-planned trials exercise with other vessels. The Duke of Clarence had decided to sail her in his capacity as Lord High Admiral, ostensibly to inspect the sailing qualities of the ships involved. This caused consternation to the Government, which had deliberately constrained his powers to a largely honorific revival of the post for him, shortly after he became heir presumptive to the throne on the death of his older brother, the Duke of York. Though the Duke of Clarence and the Duchess, Princess Adelaide, returned ashore by barge on the evening of the 27th to dine, he sailed on 31 July with the squadron and became unaccountable for ten days. His action was seen as a direct constitutional challenge for which, on return, George IV was required to admonish him and for which the Duke of Wellington, as Prime Minister, forced his immediate resignation as Lord High Admiral. Until it was conferred on His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh, in 2011, the Duke of Clarence was the only royal holder of the post after the death of Prince George, though he reassumed it ex-officio as sovereign when he succeeded to the throne as William IV in 1830. Having been a professional naval officer in his youth, including under his friend, Captain Horatio Nelson, he became known as the 'sailor king' .