The Prince of Wales has marked the 125th anniversary of Scotland’s main naval base’s submarine service, meeting Royal Navy personnel from diverse backgrounds.
As the Royal Navy’s commodore-in-chief, William visited HM Naval Base Clyde, Faslane, on Tuesday.
He engaged with senior officials, women submariners, and LGBT members of the force.
He toured a Vanguard Class submarine, one of four Trident vessels forming the UK’s nuclear deterrent.
The Prince then presented The Gold Submariner’s Dolphin, awarded to those completing the submarine qualifying course.
After Faslane, he met families at Helensburgh’s Drumfork Community Centre, including those whose loved ones returned from the longest patrol by a nuclear-armed Royal Navy ship.
On Wednesday, the three members of the Royal Navy died when their helicopter crashed into a field in Devon.
Lieutenant Lily-Mae Fisher, 31, who was Britain’s only female Navy commando, died alongside 42-year-old Lieutenant Commander Chris Gayson and 24-year-old Petty Officer Owen Green following the incident at Sourton Down, near Okehampton, just before 4am on Wednesday.
The Princess of Wales, who is Commodore-in-Chief of the Fleet Air Arm, said she was “saddened” to hear of the deaths.
In a personally signed message posted on social media, she wrote: “I was so saddened 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 hold their families and friends in our hearts at this very difficult time. C”
It is understood that Kate and the William will contact the families of those who died in the coming days.
King Charles said he was left “profoundly shocked” by the incident, stating the service of those killed was “held in the highest regard”.
On Friday, he spoke publicly for the first time about the crash while presenting new colours to Royal Marines Commando units at a Windsor Castle ceremony.
Charles, who flew helicopters with the Royal Navy in the 1970s, described himself as a “Junglie”, the affectionate nickname for the Royal Navy’s Commando Helicopter Force, during a speech to Royal Marines on parade and hundreds of veterans, families and friends.
The King said: “I also wish to take this opportunity to acknowledge with the greatest sadness the crash of a Royal Navy helicopter on Wednesday.
“As a former Junglie pilot 845 Naval Air Squadron, I was profoundly shocked to hear this most tragic news. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the families, friends, and colleagues of those involved.
“Their service is held in the highest regard, and they remain very much in our prayers.”
Before the event began a minute’s silence was held for the victims.
