Career
Blackburn was appointed to his first command, the minesweeper HMS Kirkliston, in 1972. He became Equerry to the Duke of Edinburgh in 1976, Executive Officer of the cruiser HMS Antrim in 1978 and Commander of the destroyer HMS Birmingham in 1983. He went on to become commanding officer of the destroyer HMS York and Captain D3 Squadron in 1987, Commodore on Clyde and Naval Base Commander Clyde in 1990 and commanding officer of the frigate HMS Cornwall as well as Captain of the 2nd Frigate Squadron Squadron in 1992.
After that Blackburn became Head of the British Defence Staff and Defence Attaché in Washington, District of Columbia in 1994 and to the Commander-in-Chief Allied Naval Forces Southern Europe, Naples in 1997.
On leaving the Royal Navy Blackburn became Master of the Household, in which office he served from 2000 to 2005. Blackburn was made a LVO in 1978, and a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order in 2004.
