Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales, Sponsor of HMS Glasgow, today gave her blessing to the Royal Navy’s newest warship.
Smashing a bottle of whisky against the hull for good luck, Her Royal Highness formally named HMS Glasgow, the first of eight Type 26 frigates at the leading edge of naval warfare.
To cheers from hundreds of friends, family, workers, VIP guests and the 45-strong ship’s company at BAE Systems shipbuilding facility in Scotstoun, The Duchess of Rothesay, as she is known in Scotland, declared the time-honoured words: “I name this ship Glasgow. May God bless her and all who serve in her.”
Her Royal Highness was accompanied throughout her visit by The Prince of Wales.
Proceedings opened with an inspection of the Royal Guard, followed by the 25-minute naming ceremony, during which Second Sea Lord Vice Admiral Sir Martin Connell thanked Their Royal Highnesses for their support and all those involved in the Type 26 endeavour to reach this milestone in the programme.
“From the first ever HMS Glasgow, sailing under the Royal Navy flag at the end of the 17th Century to the ship we see here in the 21st Century, HMS Glasgow has evolved and adapted to meet the warfighting and operational demands of its day.
“Each metamorphosis saw shipbuilders adapting materials and designs so that crews could operate each successive HMS Glasgow on operations and in conflict and war.
“The result of this being 11 battle honours – HMS Glasgow’s pedigree is awe inspiring.”
He hailed the latest ship as “a pure-bred Anti-Submarine Warfare platform, setting the standard for naval warfare”, ready to “meet the global and geopolitical challenges of today”.
He continued: “HMS Glasgow and her class represent the next chapter of naval innovation, safeguarding the UK’s interests and contributing to national prosperity.”
Following prayers for the new ship led by Chaplain of the Fleet the Venerable Andrew Hillier, Her Royal Highness was invited to step up to the ceremonial platform and activate the device which blessed the hull with whisky.