China Station
Promoted to vice admiral on 11 January 1864, Keppel went on to be Commander-in-Chief, China Station, with his flag in the second-rate HMS "Rodney", in January 1867. Promoted to full admiral on 12 July 1869 and advanced to Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath on 20 May 1871, he took up his last command when he became Commander-in-Chief, Plymouth in November 1872.