As Lord Admiral, Howard, with a fleet of 28 ships, satisfied King Philip II on his arrival in England in 1555, and in August of that 12 months escorted the King to Flanders. On 20 March 1554 he was granted a patent as Lord Admiral, changing Lord Clinton. After Queen Elizabeth's accession on 17 November 1558, Howard succeeded Edward Hastings as Lord Chamberlain and was appointed to the Privy Council.