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The Edinburghs

The Countess of Wessex enjoys reunion with old friend last seen four years ago

By
24th July 2021
The Countess of Wessex speaks to people working on board HMS Daring

The Countess of Wessex has made a return trip to a Navy destroyer of which she is sponsor.

Sophie spent a morning touring HMS Daring as it is moored in Portsmouth for a refit.

She has been the ship’s sponsor since 2006 and has kept a close eye on its work ever since. Her last visit was in 2017 when she spent time on HMS Daring during a deployment to the Black Sea.

  • The Countess of Wessex visits HMS Daring in Portsmouth
    UK MOD © Crown copyright 2021. Photograph by LPhot Lee Blease

The Type 45 Refit Support Group, led by Lt Cdr Jason Wyatt, is regenerating Daring for frontline operations. Lt Cdr Wyatt welcomed the Countess to Portsmouth on July 20th 2021 and introduced her to many of those working on the ship.

The Countess of Wessex’s latest trip was to see the ongoing refit work which includes an overhaul of propulsion and weapon systems, upgrades to radar and communications and an overhaul of living quarters. Sophie donned full protective equipment, including safety helmet ,boots and overalls for her time on board HMS Daring.

She also met the engineers and logisticians involved in the refit.

HMS Daring is a Type 45 destroyer, developed in the early 21st century as part of the Navy’s new class of air defence guided missile destroyers.

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About author

Lydia Starbuck is Jubilee and Associate Editor at Royal Central and the main producer and presenter of the Royal Central Podcast and Royal Central Extra. Lydia is also a pen name of June Woolerton who is a journalist and writer with over twenty years experience in TV, radio, print and online. Her latest book, A History of British Royal Jubilees, is out now. Her new book, The Mysterious Death of Katherine Parr, will be published in March 2024. June is an award winning reporter, producer and editor. She's appeared on outlets including BBC 5 Live, BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Local Radio and has also helped set up a commercial radio station. June is also an accomplished writer with a wide range of material published online and in print. She is the author of two novels, published as e-books. She is also a marriage registrar and ceremony celebrant.