The Princess of Wales has smashed a bottle of whisky against the hull of a new Royal Navy warship as she officially named it HMS Glasgow.
Kate pressed a button triggering an arm holding the single malt which crashed into the grey stealth-like vessel during the ceremony.
Later at a reception, the Prince of Wales said of the warship: “It’s massive, I can see that’s where the future is going.
“It’s quite impressive, it’s a hell of a piece of kit – screams UK power.”
HMS Glasgow is the first of eight Type 26 anti-submarine frigates to be built in Glasgow.
The princess, who was wearing a navy blue outfit with white details and a matching hat, said at the event on the River Clyde: “I have the pleasure to name this ship HMS Glasgow, may God bless her and all who sail on her.”
Smashing a bottle to name a ship is a centuries-old tradition that is believed to bring the vessel good luck.
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It is usually done with champagne but can sometimes be carried out with a bottle of whisky instead.
In 2014, Queen Elizabeth II christened HMS Queen Elizabeth in Rosyth Dockyard by smashing a bottle of single malt whisky to reflect the role Scotland played in its construction.
Kate was joined by Prince William for the naming ceremony held at the ship’s allotted place on the Clyde, where the warship’s design and build was led by BAE systems.
Simon Lister, BAE Systems managing director, told those gathered for the ceremony: “In a world that continues to be volatile, we cannot underestimate the importance of this ship and the work we are doing here.”
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Royal correspondent
In some ways it still feels like a rare moment to see the Princess of Wales speaking centre stage like this.
Since she returned to work after her cancer diagnosis, this was probably her biggest crowd yet.
She stepped up to address hundreds of workers as sailors and family members had also gathered for the naming ceremony.
From those who help construct the ship to those who will sail on board, the emphasis was on the community that HMS Glasgow represents.
Prince William was with Kate to help celebrate that and what it means for the UK.
We know that the royals have been instrumental recently in highlighting Britain’s military capabilities.
The pictures from today, and the prince’s off-the-cuff comments that the ship “screams UK power” are another gift to those in Whitehall who want to show the UK is ready to meet the geopolitical challenges of today.
Watching the moment were dozens of BAE Systems staff and their families and senior Royal Navy officers who applauded as the whisky bottle broke, an exclusive single malt made by the Clydeside Distillery.
A contribution from each bottle sold will be donated to HMS Glasgow’s chosen charity, Place2Be, supporting children’s mental health in the Glasgow area, which Kate supports as patron.
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 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.”
