Grand admiral is a historic navalrank, the highest rank in the several European navies that used it. It is best known for its use in Germany as Großadmiral. A comparable rank in modern navies is that of admiral of the fleet.
The rank was created in 1901 and discontinued in 1945, by which time a total of eight men had been promoted to it. The next most junior rank was Generaladmiral (admiral-general).[citation needed]
Imperial Germany
Before and during World War I, the following were made grand admirals of the Imperial German Navy (Kaiserliche Marine):
In Sweden the rank of grand admiral was only ever awarded twice. Once to Prince Charles (XIII), whom was given the title at birth and which was used by him as the commander of the Swedish Royal Navy and once to crown princeOscar (I) as a courtesy title to honour his adoptive grandfather, the late king Charles XIII.[3]