One of the most senior officers in the Royal Navy has been presented with his knighthood by the Queen during a ceremony at Buckingham Palace.

Vice Admiral Sir James Burnell-Nugent is Second Sea Lord/Commander-in-Chief Naval Home Command, effectively the Royal Navy’s chief personnel officer, and his award was announced in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in June.

Sir James (54) has commanded in every rank from lieutenant to vice-admiral.

He was involved in the Bosnia, Kosovo and Gulf operations, as well as being the UK maritime force commander for the first six months in the war on international terrorism – Operation Veritas – where he was in charge of 40,000 people and more than 100 ships from many Allied nations.

Admiral Burnell-Nugent was awarded the CBE in 1999 for operations in the Gulf as the Commanding Officer of aircraft carrier HMS Invincible.

The knighthood has been awarded to Sir James for his “outstanding contribution” over a 32-year career, his leadership during Operation Veritas, and as 2SL/CINCNAVHOME.

Sir James, who is based at Victory Building in Portsmouth, said: “I am absolutely honoured to receive this knighthood.

“The award of this KCB recognises the importance which the Royal Navy puts on caring for its people.

“As Second Sea Lord, the Navy’s ultimate personnel officer, my over-riding priority is to ensure that every member of the Naval Service is valued and encouraged.”

Sir James lives in Modbury in Devon with his wife Mary, a doctor who is currently the medical director of St Luke’s Hospice in Plymouth.

They have four children, and the entire Burnell-Nugent family were at the Palace to see Sir James collect his award.