Princess of Wales to christen HMS Glasgow as William steps into new title
Kensington Palace has officially announced Princess Catherine’s next public appearance alongside Prince William, marking a significant upcoming engagement for the royal couple in Scotland.
Set to take place on May 22, the Prince and Princess of Wales will travel to Glasgow for the naming ceremony of HMS Glasgow, a moment that will spotlight Catherine’s longstanding royal role. She was appointed Sponsor of HMS Glasgow back in June 2021—an honor traditionally bestowed upon a female member of the Royal Family to forge a symbolic connection with the vessel.
According to royal editor Rebecca English, who shared the update via Instagram, “The Princess will take part in naming the ship by releasing a bottle of whisky which will be broken against the ship's hull”—a longstanding maritime tradition.
The announcement comes just days after Prince William was formally appointed Great Master of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath by King Charles during a rare royal service at Westminster Abbey on May 16. The 300th anniversary celebration of the historic Order marked King Charles’s first time leading the ceremony as Sovereign, with his son now officially succeeding him in the ceremonial role.
With the Glasgow engagement on the horizon, the Palace’s update signals a return to form for the Princess of Wales, highlighting her enduring presence and symbolic significance within the Royal Navy—as well as the couple’s united front in fulfilling royal duties.
