The Prince and Princess of Wales said hello to well-wishers as they left a shipyard in Glasgow after attending the official naming ceremony of HMS Glasgow – and one fan couldn’t help but remark on Kate’s outfit, prompting a response from William
Prince William had an unexpected response after a well-wisher told his wife Kate she looked ‘beautiful’ at a ship’s naming ceremony. The Prince and Princess of Wales were at the BAE Systems shipyard in Glasgow for the official naming ceremony of HMS Glasgow – a new Royal Navy state-of-the-art Type 26 anti-submarine frigate.
As sponsor of the vessel, Kate had the job of officially naming the ship by smashing a bottle of whisky on its hull. For the visit, Kate embraced the nautical theme with her outfit, wearing a navy and white Suzannah London coat dress teamed with a Philip Treacy hat. After the visit, a crowd of well-wishers gathered to catch a glimpse of the royal couple, with one telling Kate she looked ‘beautiful’.
But not to leave William out, she quickly added: “You too, William!” But in a surprise response, he told the fan: “You don’t have to say that, don’t worry!”
It came after Kate stepped up onto a podium before a crowd of several hundred BAE employees, their families and the 45-strong ship’s company and 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”.
Kate 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 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”. 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.