The Duchess of Cambridge has today been given an important royal role by The Queen: she will be the Sponsor of the Royal Navy’s HMS Glasgow.
The Queen is in Scotland this week for Holyrood Week alongside her grandson, Prince William – or the Earl of Strathearn as he is known in Scotland.
William visited the BAE Systems Shipyard in Govan this morning to view the construction work on the HMS Glasgow and announced the news of Kate’s appointment after touring the facilities.
He said: “Today, I’m very pleased to announce that my family’s connection with Type 26 will endure for many years to come.”
“Her Majesty The Queen has approved the appointment of my wife, Catherine, as Sponsor of the superb ship we see taking shape outside – HMS Glasgow. I know that Catherine will be delighted to join you here in Glasgow for the naming ceremony in due course.”
HMS Glasgow will be one of the Royal Navy’s newest warships when it takes the waters and will play a major part in the Navy’s operations in warfighting, maritime security, and international engagement.
As the warship’s sponsor, the Duchess of Cambridge will attend the naming ceremony of the HMS Glasgow when it is ready to hit the waters and will also take part in milestones relating to the ship throughout its service, both for the vessel itself and for the crew aboard. According to Kensington Palace, she will likely help celebrate events and deployments and maintain an ‘enduring personal connection’ with the ship.
The HMS Glasgow is the first City Class Type 26 Global Combat Ship that will be built for the Royal Navy, which means that it will be able to adapt its purposes depending on its mission type. The vessel will be able to carry up to 157 personnel, travel over 7,000 nautical miles, and hit speeds of up to 26 knots. It will also be able to accommodate helicopters, house and deploy smaller vessels.
The Duchess joins a line of royal women who are sponsors of Royal Navy ships, including The Queen, who is Sponsor of the HMS Queen Elizabeth, and the Duchess of Cornwall, who is Sponsor of the HMS Prince of Wales.
