Princess Kate and Prince William's day in Glasgow's shipyards

The Herald Scotland

23-05-2025

"This has been an amazing opportunity," said Jamie, proudly.
Apprentice Jamie Jeffrey, who escorted the Royal couple (Image: Andy Barr)
"The Prince and Princess were lovely. It's really exciting to have had the chance to work on HMS Glasgow, and to be part of today."
(Image: Andy Barr)
HMS Glasgow is the first of eight Type 26 submarine-hunting frigates being built by the company for the Royal Navy.
The Princess of Wales is the ship's sponsor, an honorary role that historically served to bestow "good luck and divine protection" on a ship, meaning that she will maintain a close connection with the ship and her crew throughout her service life.
The naming ceremony was watched by a huge crowd at Scotstoun, including His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, Lord Provost Jacqueline McLaren, some of those who have helped build the ship, the ship's company and their families.
(Image: Andy Barr)
For the first time the Royal Standard was hoisted on HMS Glasgow's yardarm throughout the Royal couple's time on the site.
Every space on the quayside and the ship was filled with people cheering as the Princess announced: 'I name this Ship HMS Glasgow. May God bless her and all who sail on her.'
(Image: The Princess of Wales performs the HMS Glasgow naming ceremony)
(Image: John Linton/BAE Systems)
In a nod to the ship's Scottish heritage, a bottle of whisky, rather than the traditional bottle of champagne, was then smashed over the bow of the ship.
The Prince and Princess went on board the ship, then spent time at the National Shipbuilding Academy, meeting apprentices and graduates.
Apprentice Natalie Black helps the Princess of Wales with a STEM challenge (Image: John Linton/BAE Systems)
Pipefitting apprentice Natalie Black, 30, who is originally from Baillieston helped the Princess navigate a STEM pipework challenge and the two women bonded over the pain of stepping on LEGO pieces left behind by young children.
"She did the task very well," said Natalie, smiling. "I asked her if she'd done it before and she said she had had lots of practice with her children's toys. We had a laugh about how painful it is to step on LEGO..."
(Image: Andy Barr)
Natalie switched careers after the pandemic. "I worked in hospitality but I wanted to do something practical," she said. "I love the apprenticeship here at BAE Systems and being part of today has been really special."
The Royal couple also spoke to Lead Engineering Technicians Ross McDowall, 22, from East Kilbride and Frazer Dempsey, 25, from Ayr, who are responsible for HMS Glasgow's electrical systems.
They helped the Princess complete the ship's inclinometer, an instrument which measures the vessel's tilt at sea.
Ross said: "It's so special to be here with my family. My gran is here, so to be able to show her HMS Glasgow, a ship named after the city I was born in, is fantastic."
(Image: John Linton)
Simon Lister, managing director of BAE Systems' Naval Ships business, said it was "wonderful" to see so many workers and their families at the event.
He added: 'This is an historic moment for the Type 26 programme, the city of Glasgow and the thousands of people involved in this great endeavour.
'The naming of HMS Glasgow is a significant step towards this cutting-edge vessel joining the Royal Navy fleet and demonstrates our solid progress in delivering these powerful new ships.
"We are proud that they will play a vital role in protecting the UK.'
Read more from Ann Fotheringham:
The first of class frigate HMS Glasgow and its sister ships will be among the most advanced anti-submarine warfare warships of their time.
Second Sea Lord Vice Admiral Sir Martin Connell said: '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.
'The result of this being 11 battle honours – HMS Glasgow's pedigree is awe inspiring."
He added: 'This ship and her class represent the next chapter of naval innovation, setting the standard for naval warfare, safeguarding the UK's interests and contributing to national prosperity.'
When complete, the 6900-tonne, 149-metre Type 26 frigates will be the backbone of the Royal Navy's surface presence, designed to deal with missions across the full spectrum of its operations.
Work is already well underway on HMS Glasgow's sister ships, with all eight expected to enter service between 2028 and 2035.
Nico Miller, a senior project manager at BAE Systems, has been involved with the Type 26 programme for the past three years and previously worked on the Royal Navy's Type 45 destroyers.
'Because she is HMS Glasgow, because she is the first of her class, because she is built here on the Clyde, everyone has been looking forward to this day,' he said.
'Everyone is proud by what they've achieved on the ship and rightly so. She is hugely impressive, the levels of technology involved are quite incredible. We are setting the standard here for the future ships of the Fleet. That's something special to be part of.'