- Published on 24/05/2025 – By Naval News Staff
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Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales, Sponsor of HMS Glasgow, gave her blessing to the Royal Navy’s newest Type 26 class frigate.
Royal Navy press release
Smashing a bottle of whisky against the hull for good luck, Her Royal Highness formally named HMS Glasgow, the first of eight Type 26 frigates at the leading edge of naval warfare.
To cheers from hundreds of friends, family, workers, VIP guests and the 45-strong ship’s company at BAE Systems shipbuilding facility in Scotstoun, The Duchess of Rothesay, as she is known in Scotland, declared the time-honoured words: “I name this ship Glasgow. May God bless her and all who serve in her.”
Her Royal Highness was accompanied throughout her visit by The Prince of Wales.
Proceedings opened with an inspection of the Royal Guard, followed by the 25-minute naming ceremony, during which Second Sea Lord Vice Admiral Sir Martin Connell thanked Their Royal Highnesses for their support and all those involved in the Type 26 endeavour to reach this milestone in the programme.
“From the first ever HMS Glasgow, sailing under the Royal Navy flag at the end of the 17th Century to the ship we see here in the 21st Century, HMS Glasgow has evolved and adapted to meet the warfighting and operational demands of its day.
“Each metamorphosis saw shipbuilders adapting materials and designs so that crews could operate each successive HMS Glasgow on operations and in conflict and war.
“The result of this being 11 battle honours – HMS Glasgow’s pedigree is awe inspiring.”
He 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”.
He continued: “HMS Glasgow and her class represent the next chapter of naval innovation, safeguarding the UK’s interests and contributing to national prosperity.”
Following prayers for the new ship led by Chaplain of the Fleet the Venerable Andrew Hillier, Her Royal Highness was invited to step up to the ceremonial platform and activate the device which blessed the hull with whisky.
Once the service was over, The Prince and Princess were given a short guided tour of the frigate, which will serve as the Fleet’s shield and sword against hostile submarines.
Showing them around was the ship’s chief bosun’s mate (buffer) Petty Officer (Sea) Abigail Baker.
“It was an honour and privilege to meet Their Royal Highnesses. The Princess of Wales projected a keen interest in the ship’s company and their families – and we in HMS Glasgow are proud to have her as our Ship’s Sponsor.”
They then met some of those responsible for building the 8,000-tonne warship, the sailors charged with bringing the vessel to life, and the families of both who support them.
Senior Naval Officer Commander Phil Burgess – the very first member of HMS Glasgow’s ship’s company, who joined in October 2021 – called the frigate “a 21st Century warship for a 21st Century Royal Navy”.
He says being involved with the Type 26 programme and laying the foundations for the next 30 or so years of front-line operations around the globe has been “an enormous professional privilege”.
He continued: “HMS Glasgow – and the rest of her class – are the most advanced anti-submarine warfare frigates which have ever been built for the Royal Navy and possibly anywhere in the world.
“It has been a great honour to be the Senior Naval Officer of HMS Glasgow and as I approach the end of my tenure, hosting Their Royal Highnesses on their inaugural visit to the ship to name her, has been the pinnacle of over three and half years in post.”
Her Royal Highness accepted the honour of Royal Sponsor – historically, the title has served to bestow good luck and divine protection upon a ship – to HMS Glasgow four years ago.
Although the Princess of Wales has hosted members of the Ship’s Company at Windsor Castle, she has never seen the 8,000-tonne warship until today. Similarly, for the first time the Royal Standard was hoisted on HMS Glasgow’s yardarm throughout Their Highnesses time on site.
Regarded as a permanent member of the ship’s company, Sponsors attend milestones in a vessel’s life – such as the naming ceremony – are kept regularly informed of the sailors’ activities and deeds, send messages of support in return in hard and challenging times, and generally act as ambassadors for and champions of the crew and their vessel.
RN Writer Lola Nicholson, who looks after the many administrative requirements of her 44 shipmates, cannot believe the difference between HMS Glasgow and the previous ships in which she’s served.
“When I look at Glasgow, she’s impressive, like no ship I’ve ever seen before – and it’s the same on board, really impressive and exciting and much better accommodation for the sailors,” she said.
Leading Engineering Technician Ross McDowall, responsible for HMS Glasgow’s electrical systems, was born in and grew up around the city.
He’s been assigned to the ship for the past year and has got stuck into community projects forging ties with the frigate’s affiliates besides his engineering day job.
“It’s exciting. Seeing the ship built here in the city, carrying the name Glasgow,” he said.
“I’ve really been looking forward to the naming ceremony and bringing my family on site. It’s the first time they’ll have seen the ship, while for me, this is the first time I’ve come face-to-face with members of the Royal Family.”
Fellow Glaswegian Nico Miller, a senior project manager at BAE Systems, has been involved with the Type 26 programme for the past three years and previously worked on the Royal Navy’s Type 45 destroyers.
“Because she is HMS Glasgow, because she is the first of her class, because she is built here on the Clyde, everyone has been looking forward to this day,” he said.
“Everyone is proud by what they’ve achieved on the ship and rightly so. She is hugely impressive, the levels of technology involved are quite incredible. We are setting the standard here for the future ships of the Fleet. That’s something special to be part of.”
Work continuing to fit out HMS Glasgow, installing and testing sensors and systems, resumes next week.
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