Royal game of battleship? Queen approves Kate's sponsorship of navy vessel

Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge becomes the official sponsor of a new battleship for the Royal Navy. Photo / AP

The British royal family has a long and enduring connection to the armed forces, especially the navy (it isn't called the Royal Navy for nothing) and that doesn't look like changing any time soon with the Duchess of Cambridge becoming the official sponsor of a new battleship.

Catherine's husband, Prince William, revealed the 39-year-old royal will have an enduring relationship with HMS Glasgow, which is currently being built in Scotland, meaning she will have a "strong and enduring personal connection to the vessel and her crew, often supporting milestones, events and deployments".

Speaking on a visit to the BAE Systems shipyard where the vessel is being built, William – who is on a tour of Scotland with his grandmother, the Queen – said on Tuesday: "Today, I'm very pleased to announce that my family's connection with Type 26 will endure for many years to come. Her Majesty the Queen has approved the appointment of my wife Catherine as sponsor of the superb ship we see taking shape outside — HMS Glasgow. I know that Catherine will be delighted to join you here in Glasgow for the naming ceremony in due course."

Pictured here is, Her Majesty's Ship (HMS) Queen Elizabeth under anchor awaiting high tide before departing at the start vital system tests off the coast of Scotland. Photo / AP

The prince also reflected on how much his late grandfather, Prince Philip – who died in April aged 99 – would have enjoyed seeing the innovations at the shipyard.

He said: "My family's affection for the Royal Navy is well known, and as I saw the work taking place here today, I was thinking of my grandfather, the Duke of Edinburgh. He would have been fascinated and very excited to see such advances in skills and technology being put into practice."

During his visit, William was taken on a tour by electrical apprentice Cara Shannon and spoke with some other apprentices and graduates in training.
He also attended a ceremony to mark the start of construction on HMS Belfast and officially cut the first plate of steel for the vessel, which is the third Type 26 Global Combat Ship to be manufactured by the shipyard and is designed to help protect the nation.

He said: "It is my great honour to play my own small part in the continued advances of the Royal Navy, by cutting the very first steel for Ship 3 – the HMS Belfast of the future.

"She will be only the second ship to have carried this name, her predecessor having conducted her duties with distinction and honour throughout the Second World War. The city of Belfast has always stood alongside Glasgow with a superb heritage of ship building, but now the city can once again become synonymous with Royal Naval power and maritime excellence.

"Catherine and I feel extremely privileged to become part of Team Type 26, and we look forward to following the journey of the ships, and their future crews, in the years to come."