in law, the head of the royal navy is the monarch or her consort, holding the ceremonial title of lord high admiral of the united kingdom. the lord high admiral was elizabeth ii from 1964 to 2011. her husband prince phillip was in the royal navy during world war ii. he was lord high admiral from 2011 to 2021. the professional head of the naval service is the first sea lord. he is a member of the defence council and the admiralty board. the navy board is below admiralty board and is responsible for running the navy. their offices are in the ministry of defence, london.