Why Royal Navy admirals carried red, white, and blue ranks

What were Admirals of the Red, White, and Blue?

They were ranks within the Royal Navy's historic red, white, and blue fleet squadrons, each of which developed admiral, vice-admiral, and rear-admiral grades in a set precedence.

The red, white, and blue titles were not decorative additions to rank but remnants of a three-squadron fleet organization. As fleets expanded, each color acquired admiral, vice-admiral, and rear-admiral grades with a formal order of precedence; Admiral of the Red became the highest ordinary grade before multiple Admirals of the Fleet were permitted. The explanation connects personal rank to the structure of a battle fleet.