It was more than just another royal appearance — it was a day filled with laughter, tradition, and a bit of friendly competition.
Prince William and Princess Kate brought their charm and sense of humor to Glasgow on Thursday as they took part in the official naming ceremony of HMS Glasgow, a state-of-the-art Royal Navy frigate.
And yes, even amidst all the pomp and ceremony, there was time for some light-hearted banter.
One admirer in the crowd couldn’t resist shouting, “You’re beautiful!” to Kate — and quickly added, “You too, William!”
The Prince, not missing a beat, grinned and replied, “You don’t have to say that, don’t worry!” prompting a wave of laughter from the onlookers.
Kate Names HMS Glasgow in Classic Maritime Style
Wearing a nautical-inspired navy and white coat dress by Suzannah London and a striking Philip Treacy hat (recycled from Trooping the Colour 2024), Kate looked every inch the elegant royal as she performed the ship’s traditional naming ritual.
Standing before a crowd of hundreds, she declared:
“I have the pleasure to name this ship HMS Glasgow.
May God bless her and all who sail on her.”
With that, she hit the launch button, releasing a bottle of single malt whisky from the nearby Clydeside Distillery that smashed against the ship’s hull — a time-honored gesture to bring good luck to the vessel and crew.
A Modern Tribute to Glasgow’s Maritime Legacy
This moment marked a powerful symbol of Glasgow’s continued legacy in shipbuilding.
The whisky used, from the same distillery that opened in 2017 — the year the ship’s build began — will also contribute to charity.
Each bottle sold includes a donation to Place2Be, a mental health charity supported by Kate.
As sponsor of the 8,000-tonne warship since 2021, Kate has taken a sincere interest in HMS Glasgow and the lives of the sailors who will serve aboard.
She previously met Royal Navy members at Windsor Castle to hear updates on its progress.
From Ceremony to STEM: A Royal Race to Build Pipes
After the formalities, the couple rolled up their sleeves for a visit to BAE Systems’ Shipbuilding Academy.
There, they met apprentices and graduates learning skilled trades like welding and pipefitting — all of which contributed to the creation of HMS Glasgow.
Then came a playful challenge. William and Kate were pitted against each other in a race to assemble a pipe structure — part of a STEM activity used to engage students.
With help from apprentices Natalie Black and Rory Hamilton, Kate dove right in.
“You look like you’ve done this before,” Black commented as Kate expertly got to work.
Kate laughed and credited her skills to playing with her children’s building toys.
Meanwhile, William, ever the conversationalist, was caught chatting more than constructing.
He joked that he didn’t even realize it was a competition. Deborah Lynch from BAE declared Kate the winner — until her creation collapsed, leading to laughter all around.
“Wow” Moments and High-Tech Wonder
The Prince and Princess later toured the ship and met with its crew and their families.
Kate repeatedly expressed amazement at the ship’s size and advanced technology.
“It’s so exciting to see it all come together,” she said. “All the technology is so impressive.
What’s really interesting is seeing the international interest too.”
Still learning the ropes, she admitted to one attendee, “There are a lot of naval abbreviations I don’t fully understand yet — I’ve got a lot to learn!”
She chatted warmly with several family members of workers, acknowledging how meaningful it was for them to witness the fruits of their loved ones’ labor.
Kids, Gadgets, and a Dash of James Bond
When introduced to 11-year-old Teddy, the son of Lt Simon Hartland RN, Kate asked if he had aspirations to join the Navy and whether he’d started learning to code.
Her interest in the ship’s high-tech features was clear — she described some of the 3D animations she saw as looking “very James Bond.”
“It’s great to be part of something so new and cutting-edge,” she told another group. “Everyone’s raving about the gadgets.”
As one young girl described the ship as “pretty impressive,” Kate smiled and agreed: “When I saw her, I was like, wow.”
Whisky, Jewels, and Royal Traditions
Before leaving, the couple was presented with a bottle of Clydeside whisky — the same distillery they visited during Cop26 in 2021.
William joked that it was a pity the whisky had to be smashed on the ship, prompting a suggestion from distillery founder Tim Morrison to use cold tea next time.
Kate asked why whisky was used instead of champagne and was told Queen Elizabeth II once christened a ship using whisky from the Morrison family’s former distillery.
Adding a personal touch to her outfit, Kate also wore a brooch designed by Glasgow jewellers James Porter & Son.
Based on the ship’s crest, it was specially commissioned for the occasion and funded by two London livery companies.
A Glimpse of Naval Power and National Pride
The new HMS Glasgow is more than just a ship — it’s a technological powerhouse.
This Type 26 frigate will defend the UK’s aircraft carriers and nuclear deterrents with features like the Sea Ceptor missile system, a powerful naval gun, and the capacity to carry helicopters.
With 4,000 jobs supported across Scotland and beyond, the ship is a major point of pride.
The couple was welcomed by local and naval officials, including the Lord Lieutenant of Glasgow and BAE Systems executives.
During the 25-minute ceremony, a piper performed, a flypast from a Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft wowed the crowd, and speeches praised the city’s shipbuilding legacy.
Vice Admiral Sir Martin Connell described HMS Glasgow as “a pure-bred Anti-Submarine Warfare platform” built to face global challenges.
A Royal Seal on a Glasgow Legacy
As Kate summed it up perfectly:
“It’s a really proud moment for the UK, but particularly for Glasgow.”
With admiration, humor, and a sense of pride, the Prince and Princess of Wales left their mark on a city steeped in maritime history — and gave HMS Glasgow a fitting royal send-off into its next chapter.