thumb|left|The Battle of Texel, by Willem van de Velde the Younger, a Dutch victory which marked the end of Rupert's career as a sea admiral|alt=English and Dutch ships clash at night; the sky is dark, with the last colour of the day in the centre. The surrounding edges of the picture fade into deep blues and darkness. The English plan for 1673 centred on first achieving naval dominance, followed by landing an army in Zeeland. The King appointed the Duke as supreme commander, with Rupert as his deputy, combining the ranks of general and vice admiral of England.Kitson, p. 257. During the winter of 1672, however, Charles—still (legitimately) childless—decided that the risk to the Duke, his heir, was too great and made Rupert supreme Allied commander in his place.Kitson, p. 259. Rupert began the 1673 campaign against the Dutch knowing the logistical support for his fleet remained uncertain, with many ships undermanned.Kitson, p. 261. The result was the Battle of Schooneveld in June and the Battle of Texel in August, a controversial sequence of engagements in which, at a minimum, poor communications between the French and English commanders assisted the Dutch victories.Kitson, pp. 288–289. Many English commentators were harsher, blaming the French for failing to fully engage in the battles and Rupert—having cautioned against the alliance in the first place—was popularly hailed as a hero.Kitson, p. 289. Rupert finally retired from active seagoing command later that year.Warburton, pp. 505–506.
thumb|left|The Battle of Texel, by Willem van de Velde the Younger, a Dutch victory which marked the end of Rupert's career as a sea admiral|alt=English and Dutch ships clash at night; the sky is dark, with the last colour of the day in the centre. The surrounding edges of the picture fade into deep blues and darkness. The English plan for 1673 centred on first achieving naval dominance, followed by landing an army in Zeeland. The King appointed the Duke as supreme commander, with Rupert as his deputy, combining the ranks of general and vice admiral of England.Kitson, p. 257. During the winter of 1672, however, Charles—still (legitimately) childless—decided that the risk to the Duke, his heir, was too great and made Rupert supreme Allied commander in his place.Kitson, p. 259. Rupert began the 1673 campaign against the Dutch knowing the logistical support for his fleet remained uncertain, with many ships undermanned.Kitson, p. 261. The result was the Battle of Schooneveld in June and the Battle of Texel in August, a controversial sequence of engagements in which at a minimum, poor communications between the French and English commanders assisted the Dutch victories.Kitson, pp. 288–289. Many English commentators were harsher, blaming the French for failing to fully engage in the battles and Rupert—having cautioned against the alliance in the first place—was popularly hailed as a hero.Kitson, p. 289. Rupert finally retired from active seagoing command later that year.Warburton, pp. 505–506.