Prince William tours Royal Navy nuclear submarine during Scottish naval base visit
The Prince of Wales met with Royal Navy personnel from diverse backgrounds as he celebrated the 125th anniversary of the submarine service at Scotland’s main naval base.
The Royal Navy’s commodore-in-chief William visited HM Naval Base Clyde in Faslane on Tuesday.
He met with senior officials, female submariners and LGBT members of the force.
He toured the Vanguard Class submarine, one of the four Trident ships that make up the UK’s nuclear deterrent.
The Prince then presented the Golden Submarine Dolphin, awarded to those who complete the submarine qualification course.
After Faslane, he met families at Helensburgh’s Drumfork Community Centre, including loved ones returning from the longest patrol on a nuclear-armed Royal Navy ship.
On Wednesday, three members of the Royal Navy died when their helicopter crashed into a field in Devon.
Lieutenant Lily-Mae Fisher, 31, Britain’s only female Navy commando, died alongside Lieutenant Commander Chris Gayson, 42, and Petty Officer Owen Green, 24, after the incident at Sourton Down, near Okehampton, just before 4am on Wednesday.
Fleet Air Force Commander The Princess of Wales said she was “saddened” to hear of the deaths.
In a personally signed message posted on social media, he wrote: “I am deeply sorry to hear of the tragic loss of three service personnel from the Fleet Air Arm following a helicopter training exercise last night.
“William and I are keeping their families and friends in our hearts at this difficult time. C”
It is understood Kate and William will contact the families of those who died in the coming days.
King Charles said he was “deeply shocked” by the incident and expressed “the utmost respect” for the service of those killed.
On Friday, he spoke publicly for the first time about the crash while presenting new colors to Royal Marines Commando units at a Windsor Castle ceremony.
Charles, who flew helicopters in the Royal Navy in the 1970s, described himself as “Junglie”, the affectionate nickname of the Royal Navy Commando Helicopter Force, in his speech to Royal Marines and hundreds of veterans, family and friends at the parade.
The King said: “I would also like to take this opportunity to commemorate with the greatest sadness the crash of the Royal Navy helicopter on Wednesday.
“As a former Junglie pilot 845 Naval Air Squadron, I was deeply shocked to hear this most tragic news. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families, friends and colleagues of those involved.
“Their service is held in the highest regard and they remain in our prayers.”
Before the event started, a minute of silence was held for the victims.
