This is the adorable moment a young boy dressed in a British Army costume had a chance run-in with an incredibly high profile admiral.
At just six years old, Frank Gates, from Egremont, Cumbria, has amassed millions of views worldwide for his heartwarming videos dressed as a miniature soldier.
Frank, who takes to the streets of various UK cities dressed in traditional uniform, shares his joy at meeting various Army cadets, generals and soldiers to his more than 376,000 followers, with viewers often praising him for his ‘brilliance’ and ‘dedication’.
Now, the youngster has happened to cross paths with one of the UK’s highest ranked Admirals – Sir Tony Radakin.
Professional head of the UK’s armed forces, Sir Tony also serves as Chief of the Defence Staff, alongside military strategic commander and principal military adviser to the Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Defence.
In a heartwarming video clip and an incredible stroke of luck, army-loving Frank is captured walking past Sir Tony in the streets of London.
Approaching the Admiral with confidence, Frank is seen asking: ‘Excuse me, could I please have a photo?’ to which Sir Tony responds: ‘Yes, certainly’.
Walking alongside him, Sir Tony’s wife, Louise Radakin, joked: ‘You’re in the wrong uniform you know that, don’t you?’, to which Sir Tony quips: ‘No you can’t say that’.
At just six years old, Frank Gates, from Egremont, Cumbria, has amassed millions of views worldwide for his heartwarming videos dressed as a miniature soldier. Now, the youngster has happened to cross paths with one of the UK’s highest ranked Admirals – Sir Tony Radakin
In a heartwarming video clip and an incredible stroke of luck, army-loving Frank is captured walking past Sir Tony in the streets of London. Approaching the Admiral with confidence, Frank is seen asking: ‘Excuse me, could I please have a photo?’
Professional head of the UK’s armed forces, Sir Tony also serves as Chief of the Defence Staff, alongside military strategic commander and principal military adviser to the Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Defence
Expressing a real interest in the young boy, Sir Tony then turns to Frank and proceeds to ask: ‘Who are you?’.
After Frank simply gives his name, the armed forces leader replies: ‘Hi Frank, I’m Tony Radakin, I’m the chief of defence.’
After the incredible meeting, Frank even revealed that Sir Tony had recognised him from his social media presence, though this unfortunately was not captured on video.
Adorning a bright red tunic assorted with three medals, alongside a peaked forage, Frank was dressed the part to meet his hero – even holding a wooden stick, often referred to as a stagger stick.
Meanwhile, Sir Tony adorned the full dress Royal Navy uniform, featuring a dark blue jacket and trouser with a gold braid.
As a four-star Admiral and Chief of the Defence Staff, Sir Tony’s naval uniform displays his rank, featuring one broad and three narrow gold bands on the sleeve, a standard style for Admirals in the Royal Navy.
Meanwhile, he also holds four stars on his epaulettes to indicate his four-star rank.
Several social media users took to the comments to express their amazement at the coincidental run-in, with one commenter remarking: ‘Chief of defence. You certainly can’t get any higher than this Frank. Well done’.
Several social media users took to the comments to express their amazement at the coincidental run-in, with one commenter remarking: ‘Chief of defence. You certainly can’t get any higher than this Frank. Well done’. Pictured: Sir Tony Radakin
Appointed Chief of the Defence Staff in November 2021, Sir Tony’s tenure has been significantly shaped by the ensuing war between Russia and Ukraine. Under his position, he has held regular meetings with his counterparts in Kyiv, Washington and Brussels
In early June, it was announced that Sir Richard Kighton (pictured) is set to replace Sir Tony as the next Chief of the Defence Staff, with Sir Tony set to step down from the position in September 2025
Meanwhile, another added: ‘What an opportunity’.
Others also praised Sir Tony for taking the time to stop and have a photograph with the young boy, with one user writing: ‘He was so cool with the kid, nice to see’, while another added: ‘Total respect for Sir Tony Radakin.’
Appointed Chief of the Defence Staff in November 2021, Sir Tony’s tenure has been significantly shaped by the ensuing war between Russia and Ukraine.
Under his position, he has held regular meetings with his counterparts in Kyiv, Washington and Brussels in order to help organise military assistance to Ukraine, while also strengthening NATO deterrence.
The Admiral has also worked closely with the Gulf Nations in order to help manage any risks posed by the conflict in the Middle East.
In early June, it was announced that Sir Richard Kighton is set to replace Sir Tony as the next Chief of the Defence Staff, with Sir Tony set to step down from the position in September 2025.
Having served as Chief of the Air Staff, professional head of the Royal Air Force, since June 2023, Sir Richard will be set to oversee the government’s changes to the UK defence capability as Sir Keir seeks to make the country ‘war ready’.
In a statement, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: ‘Air Chief Marshal Sir Rich Knighton has led the Royal Air Force to deliver on operations across the world, while championing a culture of innovation and excellence, which is why I am certain he will make an exceptional leader of our Armed Forces as Chief of Defence Staff.
In a statement, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: ‘I would like to thank Admiral Sir Tony Radakin for his dedicated service and exceptional advice and service to me as Prime Minister, I wish him every success in his future endeavours’
Sir Tony met US defence officials, alongside other European military chiefs, in Washington DC on Wednesday in a bid to help generate security guarantees for Ukraine in the event of a peace deal with Russia. Pictured: Sir Keir Starmer and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky on August 14
‘In such a rapidly changing global context, we need our Armed Forces to be more lethal, better integrated and equipped for the future as they keep our country safe, I know Rich will rise to that challenge.
‘I would like to thank Admiral Sir Tony Radakin for his dedicated service and exceptional advice and service to me as Prime Minister, I wish him every success in his future endeavours.’
Sir Tony met US defence officials, alongside other European military chiefs, in Washington DC on Wednesday in a bid to help generate security guarantees for Ukraine in the event of a peace deal with Russia.
After the emergency summit in the Oval Office – held in the wake of Mr Trump’s talks with Russia’s Vladimir Putin in Alaska last week – Sir Keir said there had been a ‘common understanding’ about a NATO-style security guarantee for Ukraine.
The PM added this was an ‘Article 5-like guarantee’, which could mirror the ‘collective defence’ clause of the NATO treaty that states that an attack against one NATO ally is considered an attack against all NATO allies.
Sir Keir has pledged to put British troops on the ground in Ukraine as part of efforts by the so-called ‘coalition of the willing’ of Ukrainian allies to help ensure a potential peace agreement with Russia holds.
