Princess Kate dazzles in sailor blue as she launches Royal Navy anti-sub frigate HMS Glasgow

Scottish Sun

22-05-2025

The visit comes after the Princess met Liz Hatton's family, shortly after the teenager's tragic passing
PRINCESS OF SAILS Princess Kate dazzles in sailor blue as she launches Royal Navy anti-sub frigate HMS Glasgow
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
KATE is the Princess of Sails as she launches her first naval ship - by smashing a bottle of whiskey against its hull.
The Princess of Wales is joined by Wills at the naming ceremony for HMS Glasgow at BAE Systems' shipyard in Scotstoun, Glasgow.
Sign up for Scottish Sun
newsletter
Sign up
3
The Prince of Wales and The Princess of Wales attend the ship's naming ceremony
Credit: Andrew Barr
3
The naming ceremony took place at the BAE Systems shipyard
Credit: Andrew Barr
3
Kate was named the sponsor of the vessel in 2021 and attended the ceremony today
Credit: Andrew Barr
The state-of-the-art Type 26 anti-submarine frigate, is designed to provide protection to the UK's nuclear deterrent and aircraft carriers.
Kate was named the sponsor of the vessel in 2021.
Just a year later, Kate met Royal Navy sailors from HMS Glasgow at Windsor Castle to hear about the ship's progress and their experiences in the Royal Navy.
During the ceremony today, she smashed a bottle of whiskey against the ship's hull as part of a tradition dating back to the 1800s.
Queen Victoria is believed to have been one of the first people to take part in the custom, when she broke a bottle of champagne on the hull of HMS Royal Arthur.
After the ceremony, which officially launches the ship, the royal couple will board the vessel and meet with representatives from UK defence manufacturer BAE Systems.
The Prince and Princess will also visit the BAE Systems' shipbuilding academy to meet apprentices and graduates and hear about the shipbuilding and maritime training the students received.
The students are taught an incredible range of skills, which were used to build the boat, including craft trades like fabrication, sheet metal work, welding, and pipe fitting.
The event will end with the future King and Queen meeting a employees from BAE Systems, who have a wide variety of skills, trades and backgrounds before meeting the ship's company and their families.
William and Kate made headlines just days ago when they hosted a lavish garden party in the gardens of Buckingham Palace.
The Princess met with the family of a 17-year-old photographer named Liz Hatton, who had sadly passed away after a battle with cancer.
Kate had met Liz whilst being treated for cancer herself and shared a warm hug with the photographer.
Liz's parents have created a charity called Capture to support those with Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumour, in their daughter's honour.
Speaking about Liz, the princess said: "She really made the most of everything. I loved her creativity all the way through.
"If you need any help fundraising, maybe I can help. Please stay in touch, really."
Kate has opened up about how her own battle with cancer left her struggling to navigate "stormy waters and roads unknown".
Meanwhile, Will was struggling with his own grief surrounding his mother's death while working to support their children.
He revealed it was the "hardest year" of his life.
A close friend told The Sun: 'Last spring and early summer, things were really very tough. Catherine was very ill and William genuinely had to confront the possibility that he could lose his wife and his father [who has also been battling cancer].
'Keeping things as normal as possible for the 'kiddies', as Catherine calls them, was paramount. Her mum in particular was a tower of strength and support.'