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Daily Mail
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
The real reason Kate used a bottle of whisky instead of a champagne to officially name the Royal Navy's new warship
It's traditional to use champagne to christen a new ship - yet the Princess of Wales officially named HMS Glasgow on Thursday by smashing a bottle of local Scottish whisky against its hull. Kate, 43, was joined by her husband, Prince William, to conduct the traditional naming ritual at the BAE Systems' shipyard in Scotstoun, on the bank of the River Clyde in Glasgow. The mother-of-three asked why whisky was used rather than champagne and was told it was because Queen Elizabeth II had once christened a ship with whisky from Morrison Bowmore Distillers, which the Morrison family previously owned. Stepping up onto a podium before a crowd of several hundred BAE employees, their families and the 45-strong ship's company, Kate uttered the time-honoured words: 'I have the pleasure to name this ship HMS Glasgow, may God bless her and all who sail on her'. The Princess then flicked up a small red 'launch' button to release a bottle of exclusive single malt whisky made by the nearby Clydeside Distillery. The ceremonial act is said to bring good luck and fortune to the vessel and its crew. The distillery opened its doors in 2017, the same year that the HMS Glasgow build began, marking what is considered the start of two modern icons of Glasgow's maritime heritage. Each bottle of the whisky sold will include a donation to HMS Glasgow's chosen charity, Place2Be, of which the Princess is patron, and which supports children's mental health in the city. Before leaving yesterday's outing, the Prince and Princess were given a bottle of the Clydeside Distillery whisky. The couple visited the distillery when they were in Scotland for Cop26 in 2021. The Prince joked that he thought it a shame that the whisky was wasted by smashing a bottle on the ship. Tim Morrison, the distillery founder, suggested they use a drop of cold tea instead, to much laughter. Keeping her look suitably nautical for the outing, the royal sported a navy and white £1,850 coat dress from British brand Suzannah London and a matching statement hat from Philip Treacy, first worn at Trooping the Colour in 2024. The Princess was named sponsor of the 8,000-tonne warship, a state-of-the-art Type 26 anti-submarine frigate, in June 2021 and is said to hold 'a real interest' in the ship 'and in the lives of those who will serve onboard'. 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. After the naming ceremony, the couple stepped aboard to meet representatives from BAE Systems who have been leading the delivery of the vessel, as well as others from the Royal Navy to discuss the ship's unique capabilities. The Princess was congratulated on naming the ship and appeared relieved it had gone to plan. The Prince and Princess were then driven a short distance down the road to the BAE Systems' Shipbuilding Academy to meet apprentices and graduates. They heard about the shipbuilding and maritime training the students have received, including craft trades such as fabrication, electrical, sheet metal work, welding, and pipefitting – all of which contributed to the construction of HMS Glasgow. The couple's long held rivalry was once again put to the test as they were tasked with racing to complete a pipe building challenge, a STEM exercise used to teach secondary school pupils. Aided by second year pipe apprentices Natalie Black and Rory Hamilton, the couple got to work building their pipes while chatting. As the Princess swiftly began screwing her pipes together, Ms Black told her: 'You look like you've done this before,' prompting the Princess to tell her it was her experience playing with the childrens' toys. Prince William, who spent more time chatting than building, later claimed he had not realised it was a race. Deborah Lynch, an early careers and skills practitioner at BAE, declared the Princess the winner, only for her pipe construction to collapse, prompting much laughter. The Princess was then asked to screw in a wing nut to complete an inclinometer, the gadget traditionally fixed to a ship to measure its tilt, which will be put on display in the bridge. The Princess appeared to be in great form as she shared a laugh while meeting apprentices and graduates during a visit to the BAE Systems' Shipbuilding Academy The Princess meets the Ship's company and their families at the official naming ceremony 'It's so beautifully made,' she said. 'I look forward to seeing that in place if I come back another day.' The Prince and Princess also met a cross-section of BAE Systems employees from different backgrounds, trades and skills involved in the building of the ship, and members of HMS Glasgow ship's company and their families. The Princess repeatedly described how impressed she was by the sheer scale of the ship, the number of people involved in the build and the technology on board. 'It's so exciting to see it all come together, all the technology is so impressive,' she marvelled. 'What's really interesting as well is seeing the international interest.' She admitted that she was still getting to grips with the naval language. 'I'm still learning all my naval lingo,' she told one woman. 'There are a lot of abbreviations that I don't fully understand. I've got a lot to learn.' The Princess told another employee: 'It's a really proud moment for the UK but particularly, Glasgow, because there's such international interest.' She met several children, parents and grandparents of employees, telling them it was so important for family members to come and see the work after 'so much time and effort had been invested' and to share the experience. 'It must be a very proud day for you, to see what your loved ones do on a day to day basis,' she told one grandmother. 'The technology is so advanced. Have you had a look around? I find it fascinating.' The Princess and the Prince of Wales (pictured) attending the ship's naming ceremony After the ceremony, William and Kate (pictured), known in Scotland as the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay, boarded the ship and met representatives from BAE Systems, which has led the delivery of the vessel, and others from the Royal Navy who discussed the ship's capabilities She told another family member that the 3D animations she had seen 'looked very James Bond' and another that she hoped the sunny weather would prove 'a good omen' for the ship. The Princess was introduced to Lt Simon Hartland RN and his son, Teddy, 11. 'Have you got any aspirations to be in the Navy?' she asked Teddy. 'I was just hearing, there are so many jobs that you can do. Have you started coding yet? The Princess told some employees that it must be 'great to be part of something so new and cutting edge.' She added: 'Everyone's very excited about the gadgets on board, everyone's raving about them.' The Princess said: 'It's a very proud day for me to see all the hard work that's been going on behind the scenes.' Asking one young girl what she thought of HMS Glasgow, she said: 'She's pretty impressive. I'd seen a picture but I didn't realise she was going to be that big.' She told another employee: 'It's so special, when I saw her, I was like, 'wow'.' The Prince of Wales and The Princess of Wales, Sponsor HMS Glasgow, attend the ship's naming ceremony at the BAE Systems' shipyard The Princess also met the local jewellers who designed the brooch she wore for the occasion. James Porter & Son, established in 1858, is based in Glasgow's historic Argyll Arcade and is one of Scotland's oldest jewellers. Simon Porter said they had been asked to design a brooch based on HMS Glasgow's crest. 'It was an absolute honour to see her wearing it,' he said. 'Against a plain navy background it really stood out.' The brooch was funded by two London livery companies, the Worshipful Company of Fan Makers and the Worshipful Company of Merchant Taylors. The ship, the first of eight planned Type 26 frigates, is designed to provide protection to the UK's nuclear deterrent and aircraft carriers. It features advanced systems such as the Sea Ceptor anti-air missile system, a 5-inch naval gun, and the capability to carry both Wildcat and Merlin helicopters. The construction of the eight frigates has sustained 4,000 jobs across Scotland and the wider UK supply chain. On arrival at the shipyard, the Prince and Princess were met by Jacqueline McLaren, Lord Lieutenant of Glasgow, Sir Simon Lister, managing director, of BAE Systems Naval Ships and Commander Phil Burgess, senior naval officer on HMS Glasgow. 'It'a so great to see her, she's fantastic,' Kate said at first sight of the vessel. Cdr Burgess escorted the couple past a guard of honour made up of the ships company for a royal salute. A piper marked the start of the 25-minute ceremony before a P-8 Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft from 120 Squadron at RAF Lossiemouth performed a flypast. Sir Simon and Second Sealord Vice Admiral Sir Martin Connell, gave speeches. Sir Martin Connell thanked the Prince and Princess for their support in reaching the milestone. '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,' he said. '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 couple's long held rivalry was once again put to the test as they were tasked with racing to complete a pipe building challenge (pictured), a STEM exercise used to teach secondary school pupils 'The result of this being 11 battle honours – HMS Glasgow's pedigree is awe inspiring.' He hailed the ship as 'a pure-bred Anti-Submarine Warfare platform, setting the standard for naval warfare', which was 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.' Sir Simon said the naming ceremony marked 'quite a moment' for Glasgow. 'There are many sons and daughters of this city here today and you should be proud to say you are helping Glasgow to flourish,' he said. 'HMS Glasgow is a reminder of the role ship building on the Clyde plays on the global stage', he added. 'Your efforts have started a legacy you should be rightly proud of, that will put us on a stronger footing for years to come. To HMS Glasgow, go well, fair winds and following seas'.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Perfectly-Timed Mishap Has Kate Middleton and Prince William Cracking Up on Royal Visit
Kate Middleton and Prince William faced off in a naval-themed competition during a royal visit to Scotland this week The royal couple competed aboard the HMS Glasgow after Princess Kate officially christened the new ship While Kate technically bested her husband, the unexpected final moments of the competition left the couple cracking up Kate Middleton and Prince William aren't a couple who shy away from some friendly competition. The Prince and Princess of Wales — or the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay, as they are known in Scotland — teamed up to attend the official naming ceremony of the HMS Glasgow on Thursday, May 22. As sponsor of the ship, Princess Kate pressed a button to christen the warship in the traditional manner: by breaking a bottle of whisky on the hull. The liquor was an exclusive single malt made by Clydeside Distillery. Each bottle sold will contribute a donation to one of Kate's patronage charities, Place2Be, which supports children's mental health in the Glasgow area. 'May God bless her and all who sail on her,' the princess declared in a short speech. Following the ceremony, William, 42, and Kate, 43, boarded the ship and met with apprentices from BAE Systems, who were responsible for delivering the vessel, the first of eight Type 26 anti-submarine frigates to be built in Glasgow. Onboard, the royal couple faced off in a pipe-building competition. Kate got off to a quick start, while William spent more time chatting, later claiming he didn't know it was a race. The royal mom of three — Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis — credited her pipe-building ability to years of experience playing with children's toys, and Princess Kate seemed to have bested her husband in the faceoff. However, as seen in a video shared by Sky News' Rhiannon Mills, just as she was being declared the winner, one of Kate's pieces collapsed. Princess Kate tried to keep a straight face as she tried to catch the falling piece before cracking up, while her husband laughed from across the table. 'Perfectly timed,' William teased his wife. Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more! Prince William and Princess Kate are known to occasionally go head-to-head during joint royal outings, whether they're making cocktails, facing off in a sailing race or rolling dough balls at a bakery. During a 2023 appearance on The Good, The Bad & The Rugby podcast — hosted by Mike Tindall, who is married to William's cousin Zara — they poked fun at Kate's personality when it comes to contests. "I'm not going to say you're uber competitive," Mike said before pausing to give a nod, indicating that she really was. Princess Kate replied coyly, "I'm not competitive at all." "I've seen her play beer pong!" Mike said. Another spontaneous moment came during the outing in Scotland when a fan called out to the couple. As seen in a video shared on Instagram, a well-wisher shouted out to Princess Kate, "You're beautiful," before adding, "You too, William!" Prince William had a quick quip that made the crowd giggle in response: "You don't have to say that. Don't worry." Read the original article on People
Daily Mirror
22-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
Kate wows in navy as she smashes whisky against ship in naming ceremony
The Prince and Princess of Wales have travelled to BAE Systems in Scostoun, Glasgow to attend the official naming ceremony of the Royal Navy warship HMS Glasgow A glamorous Princess of Wales officially named a warship by smashing a bottle of whisky against its hull in huge military procession. Both Kate and Prince William attended the naming of the warship HMS Glasgow at BAE Systems in Scotstoun, with the princess the sponsor of the vessesl. In her role as sponsor, it is her job to formally name the ship in an act that is intended to bring good luck and fortune to it and its crew. The ship, which is still under construction, is a Type 26 frigate built for the Royal Navy and is a first in class anti-submarine warfare ship. The princess, who wore a navy and white Suzannah London coat dress in the colours of the Scottish flag and a thistle brooch, became sponsor of the ship in 2022. On arriving, William and Kate were greeted with a royal salute and were treated to a flypast. The princess also named the ship by saying: "I name this Ship HMS Glasgow, may God bless her and all who sail on her." She then pressed a button which released a bottle of whisky that smashed against the ship's hull. The whisky is made by the Clydeside Distillery and is an exclusive single malt whisky made just a short distance from the HMS Glasgow site. Each bottle includes a contribution to HMS Glasgow's chosen charity, Place2Be, supporting children's mental health in the City of Glasgow, and a charity of which the Princess is Patron of. Watching the moment were dozens of BAE Systems staff and their families, and senior Royal Navy officers who applauded as the whisky bottle broke. The ceremony began with a royal salute from the ship's company for William and Kate, also known by their Scottish titles, the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay. Second Sea Lord Vice Admiral Sir Martin Connell thanked the royal couple for their support and all those involved in the Type 26 endeavour. He 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. "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 also 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". The Second Sea Lord added: "HMS Glasgow and her class represent the next chapter of naval innovation, safeguarding the UK's interests and contributing to national prosperity." After the ceremony, the royal couple went onboard the ship and met representatives from BAE Systems and the Royal Navy who will discuss the construction of the ship and its capabilities. Later, the prince and princess will go to the BAE Systems Shipbuilding academy where they will partake in a STEM activity with apprentices. Before leaving, they will also meet with BAE Systems employees who have been involved in the construction of the ship and members of HMS Glasgow Ship's Company and their families, to acknowledge the immense efforts of the local workforce, the commitment of the crew and the sacrifices made by the families of serving personnel. Get Royal Family updates straight to your WhatsApp! As the royals get back to their normal duties after a difficult year, the Mirror has launched its very own Royal WhatsApp community where you'll get all the latest news on the UK's most famous family. We'll send you the latest breaking updates and exclusives all directly to your phone. Users must download or already have WhatsApp on their phones to join in. All you have to do to join is click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in! We may also send you stories from other titles across the Reach group. We will also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose Exit group. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Daily Mail
22-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Kate stuns in nautical ensemble as she joins William in Glasgow at the official naming of new Royal Navy's warship
The Princess of Wales has officially named HMS Glasgow by smashing a bottle of local Scottish whisky against its hull. Kate, 43, was joined by her husband, Prince William, to conduct the traditional naming ritual at the BAE Systems' shipyard in Scotstoun, on the bank of the River Clyde in Glasgow. Keeping her look suitably nautical for the outing, the royal sported a navy and white £1,850 coat dress from British brand Suzannah London and a matching statement hat from Philip Treacy, first worn at Trooping the Colour in 2024. Stepping up onto a podium before a crowd of several hundred BAE employees, their families and the 45-strong ship's company, Kate uttered the time-honoured words: 'I have the pleasure to name this ship HMS Glasgow, may God bless her and all who sail on her'. The Princess then flicked up a small red 'launch' button to release a bottle of exclusive single malt whisky made by the nearby Clydeside Distillery. The ceremonial act is said to bring good luck and fortune to the vessel and its crew. The distillery opened its doors in 2017, the same year that the HMS Glasgow build began, marking what is considered the start of two modern icons of Glasgow's maritime heritage. Each bottle of the whisky sold will include a donation to HMS Glasgow's chosen charity, Place2Be, of which the Princess is patron, and which supports children's mental health in the city. The Princess was named sponsor of the 8,000-tonne warship, a state-of-the-art Type 26 anti-submarine frigate, in June 2021 and is said to hold 'a real interest' in the ship 'and in the lives of those who will serve onboard'. 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. After the ceremony, William and Kate, known in Scotland as the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay, boarded the ship and met representatives from BAE Systems, which has led the delivery of the vessel, and others from the Royal Navy who discussed the ship's capabilities. They also visited the BAE Systems' shipbuilding academy to meet apprentices and graduates and hear about the shipbuilding and maritime training the students received, including craft trades like fabrication, sheet metal work, welding, and pipe fitting. All skills which were needed to construct HMS Glasgow. The event ended with the future King and Queen meeting a cross-section of BAE Systems employees from different backgrounds, trades and skills involved in the building of the ship, and members of HMS Glasgow ship's company and their families. The ship, the first of eight planned Type 26 frigates, is designed to provide protection to the UK's nuclear deterrent and aircraft carriers. It features advanced systems such as the Sea Ceptor anti-air missile system, a 5-inch naval gun, and the capability to carry both Wildcat and Merlin helicopters. The construction of the eight frigates has sustained 4,000 jobs across Scotland and the wider UK supply chain. On arrival at the shipyard, the Prince and Princess were met by Jacqueline McLaren, Lord Lieutenant of Glasgow, Sir Simon Lister, managing director, of BAE Systems Naval Ships and Commander Phil Burgess, senior naval officer on HMS Glasgow. 'It'a so great to see her, she's fantastic,' Catherine said at first sight of the vessel. Cdr Burgess escorted the couple past a guard of honour made up of the ships company for a royal salute. A piper marked the start of the 25-minute ceremony before a P-8 Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft from 120 Squadron at RAF Lossiemouth performed a flypast. Sir Simon and Second Sealord Vice Admiral Sir Martin Connell, gave speeches. Sir Martin Connell thanked the Prince and Princess for their support in reaching the milestone. '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,' he said. '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 ship as 'a pure-bred Anti-Submarine Warfare platform, setting the standard for naval warfare', which was 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.' Sir Simon said the naming ceremony marked 'quite a moment' for Glasgow. 'There are many sons and daughters of this city here today and you should be proud to say you are helping Glasgow to flourish,' he said. 'HMS Glasgow is a reminder of the role ship building on the Clyde plays on the global stage', he added. 'Your efforts have started a legacy you should be rightly proud of, that will put us on a stronger footing for years to come. To HMS Glasgow, go well, fair winds and following seas'. The outing comes following a busy week for Kate and William, who on Tuesday hosted their first Buckingham Palace garden party of the year. During the occasion, the royal couple met the parents of Liz Hatton, the teenage photographer who captured the hearts of the nation with her brave cancer fight. Kate, 43, re-wore her lemon yellow dress by Emilia Wickstead and a hat by Phillip Treacy as she stood on the terrace for the National Anthem in the grounds of the London residence, while the Prince wore a morning suit. It marks the mother-of-three's first appearance at a garden party since 2023 - having skipped last year while she was having cancer treatment. Liz's parents Vicky and Aaron, along with her brother Mateo, nine, had an emotional chat with the royals at the garden party to honour the memory of their daughter. When Kate spotted Liz's mother they embraced with a warm hug. Her parents said meeting Prince and Princess changed her and their family's life positively forever. The Prince and Princess, who were joined by Zara Tindall and Princess Eugenie, and Sophie and Edward, Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, had met Liz just months before her passing, when they were introduced at Windsor Castle during an emotional moment that left a lasting impact on the royal couple. Also at the garden party was Tony Hudgell, the double amputee from Kent who missed the King's garden party last year due to a traffic jam. This time, Tony made it in plenty of time and was warmly welcomed by Queen Camilla at a private gathering. Liz, 17, from Harrogate, won the admiration of the public with her determination to live life to the fullest despite being diagnosed with her incurable illness. On Tuesday, the royal couple spent a few minutes chatting to Liz's mother Vicky Robayna, and stepfather, Aaron Robayna Thompson, who were special guests at the party for 7,500 people. The royal couple had met Liz in October 2024 at Windsor Castle, when the 17-year-old photographer, who had Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumour, fulfilled her dream of photographing the Prince of Wales at an investiture as part of her 'bucket list'. Kate, whose cancer is now in remission, and William, were deeply moved by Liz's story. The royal couple were handed Jelly Cat plush toys - a lemon pie and pickled onion - by Liz's family during their meeting. Liz used to give the toys to people that made her happy. 'They match my dress,' Kate said. She told Mateo, 'If you need any help fundraising maybe I can help up. Please stay in touch, really.' Liz's mother said: 'You changed her life for the better, you changed ours too because our memories are all positive.' William said of the toys: 'My children will love these. They are children's currency.' Kate said: 'It matches my dress, how did you know? We talked about it. When I see the fish and chips Jellycat, I think of her. '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.' Afterwards Liz's parents said: 'We had such a lovely day. She would have loved to have shared it. Mateo has lots of pictures to share at school.' The Princess had embraced Liz during their meeting, sharing a post afterward that read: 'A pleasure to meet with Liz at Windsor today. A talented young photographer whose creativity and strength has inspired us both. Thank you for sharing your photos and story with us.' Tragically, Liz passed away just weeks later, leaving a lasting legacy of bravery and determination. Following Liz's death, William and Kate paid tribute to her, saying: 'We are so sorry to hear that Liz Hatton has sadly passed away. 'It was an honour to have met such a brave and humble young woman. Our thoughts and prayers are with Liz's parents Vicky and Aaron, and her brother Mateo, at this unimaginably difficult time.' Vicky and Aaron have since channeled their grief into creating Capture, a charity dedicated to supporting those with Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumour, the rare cancer that claimed Liz's life. The charity has funded its first research project and plans to launch its website by the end of May. They are also fundraising through events like a 24-hour swim and a marathon challenge for 100 teams. A photo calendar featuring Liz's work will be released on what would have been her 18th birthday.
