Prince William travelled to Scotland to attend the 125th anniversary of the country’s main naval base’s submarine service, where he met with numerous representatives of the Royal Navy across all walks of life.
The Prince of Wales, who serves as the Royal Navy’s commodore-in-chief, visited the HM Naval Base Clyde, also known as Faslane, where he met with several top officials serving in the force. He also spoke with women serving as submariners, LGBT+ members, and was later offered a tour of the Vanguard Class submarine, one of four Trident subs that serve as a nuclear deterrent. He then went on to present The Gold Submariner’s Dolphin – a badge that is given to those who pass the submarine qualifying course.
View 4 ImagesPrince William travelled to Scotland to celebrate the country’s naval base’s submarine service (Image: Getty Images)
After leaving Faslane, he met with families in Helensburgh’s Drumfork Community Centre, including those who have returned to base after the longest patrol conducted by one of the Royal Navy’s nuclear-armed vessels.
William has a long history with the Royal Navy, as he undertook an intensive two-month attachment with the Royal Navy in 2008, training across surface ships, submarines, and the Fleet Air Arm.
View 4 ImagesThe Prince of Wales met families outside(Image: LPhot Henry Parks/MOD/PA Wire)
During this deployment, he served on the frigate HMS Iron Duke in the Caribbean, where he participated in anti-narcotics patrols and a joint drug seizure. He also spent time aboard the submarine HMS Talent and trained alongside the Royal Marines.
Earlier this week, William travelled to South East London, where he vowed to protect Britain’s pubs during a trip to Peckham, where he pulled pints and chatted with regulars.
After arriving at the Prince of Peckham pub on Wednesday, William spoke with the owner, Clem Ogbonnaya, as the future king said the nation’s pubs are “so important” and “a place for the community to come together”, and are in need of our protection.
View 4 ImagesWilliam poured a pint at the Prince of Peckham pub on Wednesday(Image: Chris Jackson/PA Wire)
Speaking at the pub, William pledged: “I love pubs. I want to do as much as I can to support pubs because I love the community. We need to protect our pubs.”
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The future king said that Britain’s public houses act as “the glue and fabric” in a community, adding: “It’s the people – the team – around a pub that make it.” Speaking about the owner of the recently renovated pub, he added: “It’s a family business which is good, because that makes the pub.”
During the visit, he pulled a pint of Red Stripe with Mr Ogbonnaya, describing his own efforts as “really good” and receiving a round of applause. He joked Mr Ogbonnaya was “just as bad as me” and the pair laughed and bumped shoulders after their efforts.