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Kate officially names new Royal Navy warship HMS Glasgow

UK Ministry of Defence Prince William, Catherine, Princess of Wales, and a high-ranking naval officer walking in a parade-like setting. In the background are lines of uniformed military personnel, and a woman in a light blue suit and mayoral chain is also visible. The setting appears to be an outdoor military base or ceremony.UK Ministry of Defence
The Duchess of Rothesay named the ship at a ceremony in Glasgow

The Princess of Wales has officially named the Royal Navy's newest warship HMS Glasgow in a ceremony on the River Clyde.

It is the first of eight Type 26 frigates to be built by BAE Systems at its Glasgow shipbuilding facilities in Govan and Scotstoun.

Catherine, accompanied by the Prince of Wales, smashed a bottle of whisky against the hull in the traditional naming ceremony.

HMS Glasgow was laid down at BAE's Govan yard in 2017 and launched at the end of 2022, when she was floated off a special barge into the Clyde.

AFP Catherine, Princess of Wales smiles during the naming ceremony for HMS Glasgow, at the BAE Systems shipyard in Scotstoun, Glasgow, Scotland on May 22, 2025AFP

Blessing the ship as its official sponsor, Catherine said: "I name this ship Glasgow. May God bless her and all who serve in her."

The event included a flypast from an RAF Poseidon aircraft from HMS Glasgow's affiliated CXX Squadron.

UK Ministry of Defence A crowd of people walking behind three women wearing pink hi-vis jackets, waving a union jack and navy flags. In front of them in a piper in a full red kilt.UK Ministry of Defence
UK Ministry of Defence The Duchess of Rothesay wearing a navy dress with white binding and a matching fascinator style hat. Her hair is tied in a bun and she is wearing long earrings. She is bent over receiving flowers from a young boy wearing a kilt and a white shirt. A man, presumably his father is wearing a suit and has his hand outstretched on the boys shoulder.UK Ministry of Defence

It is the second time in a month that the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay, as Prince William and Princess Catherine are known in Scotland, have been north of the border.

They celebrated their 14th wedding anniversary on the Isle of Mull in April.

BAE Systems managing director Simon Lister said the ceremony was a "historic moment for the Type 26 programme, the city of Glasgow and the thousands of people involved".

He added: "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."

While some aspects of a traditional naming ceremony were upheld, BAE Systems abandoned traditional "dynamic" slipway launches on the Clyde 14 years ago.

The military firm now favours the "float off" method, which is more controlled and allows a vessel to be launched in a more complete state.

UK Ministry of Defence A grey warship on a large barge with two escort ships in front of it. Next to it is a blue crane, which looks small compared to the ship- emphasising the scale. The ship in on calm water. The sky is mainly blue with some orange patches, suggesting it is sunset/sunrise.UK Ministry of Defence
HMS Glasgow is the first of eight new Type 26 warships being built in Glasgow

The 150m (492ft)-long ship, which will have a crew of 161, is the ninth Royal Navy warship to be named after Glasgow.

The Royal Navy's Second Sea Lord Vice Admiral, Sir Martin Connell, said the ship was "a pure-bred Anti-Submarine Warfare platform, setting the standard for naval warfare".

All eight of the Type 26 vessels are named after a UK's city – Glasgow, Cardiff, Belfast, Birmingham, Sheffield, Newcastle, Edinburgh and London.

HMS Cardiff launched in August 2024 and work has started on the next ships, HMS Belfast, HMS Birmingham and HMS Sheffield.

The frigates are expected to enter service between 2028 and the mid-2030s.

Their role will include protecting the aircraft carriers and Trident submarines.