Daniel Craig appointed honorary Commander of the Royal Navy

Sixteen years after being mocked by the tabloids for wearing a lifejacket when he was announced as James Bond, Daniel Craig has come full circle.

The Royal Navy has appointed the No Time To Die actor as an honorary Commander of the Royal Navy, matching the on-screen rank of James Bond himself.

Posing for photographs in Navy blues, Commander Craig said: “I am truly privileged and honoured to be appointed the rank of Honorary Commander in the senior service,” and says he is keen to support service families in his new role.

Read more: The best James Bond films, according to its biggest fans

The Royal Navy's warship HMS Dragon plays a critical role in Craig's fifth and final Bond film, which arrives in UK cinemas on 30 September.

The Royal Navy said it made his appointment as it reflects Craig's "personal support for UK Armed Forces and links it with the legacy created through the guise of the fictional British secret agent."

Created by Ian Fleming, who also reached the rank of Commander during his military career as a Naval Intelligence officer in WW2, the fictional character of James Bond was also a Royal Navy Commander in the books.

Read more: Actors who could be the next James Bond

In 2005, Craig was announced to press as the star of Casino Royale, arriving at the press conference riding down the Thames in a Royal Marine speedboat.

The tabloids questioned Craig's credentials at the time, citing his lifejacket — which the accompanying Marines wore too — as a sign that he wasn't tough enough to play 007.

He soon proved them wrong with Casino Royale which is now considered one of the best Bond film ever made.

Sean Connery, Roger Moore, and Pierce Brosnan's incarnations of Bond all paid tribute to his military connection, all wearing Navy stripes on screen during their tenures as 007.

Connery in 1967's You Only Live Twice, Roger Moore in 1977's The Spy Who Loved Me, and Brosnan in 1997's Tomorrow Never Dies.

Talking about Craig's appointment, First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Tony Radakin said: “I am delighted to welcome honorary Commander Daniel Craig to the Royal Navy.

"Our honorary officers act as ambassadors and advocates for the Service, sharing their time and expertise to spread the message about what our global, modern, and ready Royal Navy is doing around the world."

No Time To Die comes to cinemas on 30 September. Watch a trailer below.