A Not So Grand Admiral
Thrawn as we see him here is not in the uniform we typically associate him with—meaning this takes place before he becomes Grand Admiral. But his rank plaque, code cylinders, and grey uniform denote at this point in his career Thrawn has risen to the rank of Admiral in the Imperial Navy.
Thrawn is promoted to Admiral during the events of the 2017 novel Thrawn, for his part in quelling a secessionist uprising on the world of Botajef through non-violent methods, safely bringing the planet back into the Imperial fold. The Botajef uprising takes place in 9BBY, so Thrawn and Elsbeth’s first meeting takes place some time between then and 2BBY. (As for that rise to Grand Admiral, he’s promoted after taking credit for ending an insurrection in the Batonn system.)
