The Duke and Duchess of Rothesay, as The Prince and Princess of Wales are known in Scotland, were in Glasgow for the official naming ceremony for HMS Glasgow.
HMS Glasgow is one of eight new Type 26 frigates that are being built by BAE Systems in their both of their Glasgow facilities. All eight ships have been named after cities in the UK, with HMS Cardiff being launched in 2024 and working having begun on the next three which will be named for Belfast, Sheffield and Birmingham. The frigates are expected to begin entering service from 2028, and their role will include protecting Trident Submarines and aircraft carries.
The Duchess is the official sponsor of the ship and carried out the formal duties of the ceremony, including the short speech and the releasing of the bottle of whiskey to break against the hull of the ship to bring good luck. The whiskey used was made by the Clydeside Distillery, which opened its doors in 2017 when construction on HMS Glasgow began. Part of the cost of each bottle of the whiskey that is sold includes a donation to the ships chosen charity, Place2Be, which holds Catherine as Patron.
During the ceremony, The Duke watched on proudly. Catherine was appointed the sponsor in 2021, and in 2022 met with sailors from the frigate at Windsor Castle.
Following the official ceremony, the couple went aboard the ship and met with BAE Systems and Royal Navy representatives. They heard from them about the construction process and the capabilities of the ship.
The couple then traveled the short distance to BAE Systems’ Shipbuilding Academy to meet apprentices and graduates, where they learned about the training they received. While there, the couple took part in a competition to complete a pipe building challenge, a STEM exercise used to teach secondary school pupils. The Duchess put her ease at the challenge to her experience with children’s toys, while The Duke, who didn’t realise it was a race, spent most of the time talking! After being declared the winner, Catherine’s piece fell apart to much laughter.
As well as meeting with those who played a part in the creation of the ship, the couple also met with their family members. Catherine expressed how important it was that family members got to see the work their loved ones carried out, as well as asking the children present if they would like to join the Royal Navy some day.
Before leaving the couple met with Tim Morrison, founder of Clydeside Distillery, who gifted them a bottle. They also met with Simon Porter from James Porter & Son, the local jewellers who created the brooch she was wearing. The brooch was funded by the Worshipful Company of Fan Makers and the Worshipful Company of Merchant Taylors.
In a funny moment, as they left a member of the waiting public called out to say that Catherine was beautiful. They quickly added that William was also, prompting an amused Duke to reply “you don’t have to say that, don’t worry”. The crowd burst into laughter.
