There’s something special about traditions, especially when they involve history, heritage, and a splash of whisky.
That’s exactly what happened when the Princess of Wales, Kate, took center stage in Glasgow for the official naming of the Royal Navy’s newest warship—HMS Glasgow.
Joined by her husband, Prince William, Kate was all smiles as she performed the centuries-old ritual of smashing a bottle across the ship’s hull.
But this wasn’t just any bottle—it was a locally crafted single malt whisky from the Clydeside Distillery, giving the ceremony a truly Scottish touch.
Dressed to Impress with a Nautical Twist
Keeping the maritime theme alive in both spirit and style, the Princess wore a navy and white coat dress by Suzannah London, paired with a dramatic Philip Treacy hat she first debuted at Trooping the Colour in 2024.
It was the perfect outfit for the setting at BAE Systems’ Scotstoun shipyard, located on the banks of the River Clyde.
Stepping up to the podium in front of hundreds of shipbuilders, their families, and naval officers, Kate confidently declared: “I have the pleasure to name this ship HMS Glasgow, may God bless her and all who sail on her.”
A press of a red launch button sent the whisky crashing into the hull, sealing the ship’s name in style.
A Ship with a Mission—and a Heart
This wasn’t just a royal appearance—it was a moment of pride for the city of Glasgow and the Royal Navy.
HMS Glasgow, an advanced Type 26 frigate, has been under construction since 2017, the same year the Clydeside Distillery opened.
The two now stand as modern symbols of Glasgow’s maritime legacy.
Each bottle of the commemorative whisky sold will include a donation to Place2Be, a charity championed by the Princess that supports children’s mental health.
As the ship’s official sponsor since 2021, Kate has shown genuine interest in the project and in those who will serve aboard.
Royal Visits and STEM Challenges
After the naming ceremony, the royal couple took a tour of the ship and met with the team behind its creation.
From BAE Systems engineers to Royal Navy officers, everyone had a chance to share what made this project unique.
Then came a bit of friendly rivalry.
At BAE’s Shipbuilding Academy, the Prince and Princess were challenged to a pipe-building contest—a STEM exercise used to teach schoolchildren about engineering.
With the help of apprentices, Kate jumped right in, joking that her experience with kids’ toys came in handy.
Prince William, on the other hand, was more focused on chatting—until he realized it was a race!
Kate was declared the winner, but not without a humorous twist—her creation collapsed, prompting lots of laughter from everyone.
Behind the Scenes with Future Shipbuilders
During their visit, the royals met apprentices and young professionals learning the trade.
From welding and electrical work to fabrication and pipefitting, these are the people who helped build HMS Glasgow.
Kate was clearly impressed, frequently remarking on the ship’s massive size, high-tech features, and the sheer teamwork behind it all.
“It’s so exciting to see it all come together,” she told one team member.
“The technology is incredible.”
She also admitted she was still getting used to all the naval jargon: “There are a lot of abbreviations I haven’t quite figured out yet,” she joked.
Family Pride and Local Legacy
Kate made sure to connect with families too—speaking with children, parents, and even grandparents of the workers.
“It must be so special to see what your loved ones have helped create,” she told one grandmother.
When asked about the ship’s appearance, she said, “It’s pretty impressive. I saw a picture before, but I didn’t realize it was going to be this big!”
She even commented that some of the ship’s 3D animations looked “very James Bond.”
She chatted with young Teddy Hartland, son of Lieutenant Simon Hartland RN, and asked if he had considered a future in the Navy.
“There are so many cool jobs you can do. Have you started coding yet?” she asked.
Commemorative Gifts and Local Artistry
Before leaving, the Prince and Princess were presented with a bottle of the ceremonial whisky.
Prince William joked that it was a shame to “waste” such good whisky by smashing it on the ship, sparking laughter.
The distillery’s founder playfully suggested cold tea for next time.
The Princess also wore a bespoke brooch designed by James Porter & Son, a historic Glasgow jeweller.
Based on HMS Glasgow’s crest, the brooch stood out brilliantly against her navy outfit.
It was funded by two London livery companies as a tribute to the event.
Cutting-Edge Naval Power
HMS Glasgow is no ordinary vessel.
It’s the first of eight planned Type 26 frigates, designed to protect the UK’s nuclear deterrent and aircraft carriers.
It’s equipped with advanced technology like the Sea Ceptor missile system, a 5-inch naval gun, and space for both Wildcat and Merlin helicopters.
This new generation of warships supports over 4,000 jobs across Scotland and the UK, making it both a national defense asset and an economic powerhouse.
A Historic Ceremony with Future Vision
On arrival at the shipyard, the royal couple were welcomed by officials and treated to a grand ceremony, complete with a piper and a flypast by a P-8 Poseidon aircraft.
Vice Admiral Sir Martin Connell and BAE’s Sir Simon Lister both delivered speeches honoring the legacy of HMS Glasgow, which dates back to the 17th century.
Connell praised the vessel as a “pure-bred Anti-Submarine Warfare platform” and a symbol of the UK’s naval innovation.
“This is quite a moment for Glasgow,” said Sir Simon. “Your efforts have started a legacy that puts us on a stronger footing for years to come.”
What’s Next?
With the naming ceremony complete, HMS Glasgow will soon continue sea trials and final outfitting as she moves toward official commissioning into the Royal Navy.
For the Princess of Wales, this is more than just a ceremonial role.
Her continued involvement—from naming the ship to meeting its crew—underscores her deepening connection with the armed forces and her commitment to causes close to home, like mental health and education.
And as the ship prepares to set sail, she carries with her the hopes, craftsmanship, and pride of a nation.