Prince Harry has officially opened a new £30 million Royal Navy centre that will boost Britain’s amphibious fighting capabilities.
The royal travelled to Devonport naval base at Plymouth to launch Royal Marines Tamar, where servicemen are taught a range of skills from handling hovercrafts to staging beach landings.
The new base is home to 1 Assault Group Royal Marines, which oversees amphibious warfare and Royal Navy board search and training.
Prince Harry meets servicemen during a visit to the new Royal Marines Tamar centre at the HM Naval Base in Plymouth
In the shadow of the amphibious landing vessel HMS Bulwark, the servicemen saluted the prince before he walked onto the parade ground to inspect the troops
Colonel Garth Manger, the military unit's commanding officer, said bringing facilities and personnel together at Tamar would help deliver amphibious capabilities.
Col Manger said: 'It’s the Royal Navy’s amphibious centre of excellence which means a great deal to the navy and defence - it means all the Navy’s assets for amphibious warfare will all be located in one place.
'I will be able to deliver that capability to the frontline in a far better and streamlined manner than I’ve been able to do so far.'
He added: 'With Prince Harry as a professional soldier himself he will see this capability and understand exactly what it means.'
Prince Harry opened a new Royal Navy centre set to boost Britain’s amphibious fighting capabilities
A jolly Harry joked with the servicemen who were lined up on the parade ground
New facilities at Tamar include waterfront training rooms, a marina, a jetty, maintenance and engineering sheds and workshops, and a slipway.
Prince Harry, an Apache helicopter pilot serving with the Army Air Corps (AAC), stood on a dais to take the royal salute of 1 Assault Squadron Royal Marines and review the servicemen.
The Prince wore military uniform, the service dress of the Household Cavalry and his AAC beret, and when he first arrived he joked with a group of dignitaries who had patiently waited in blustery conditions to greet him, saying: “Typical British, we complain when it’s too hot and we complain when it’s too cold.'
In the shadow of the amphibious landing vessel HMS Bulwark, the servicemen saluted the Prince and after a few bars of the National Anthem were played by HM Band of the Royal Marines, Harry walked on to the parade ground to inspect the troops.
With his hands clasped behind his back, the Prince walked past lines of servicemen and stopped occasionally to talk to some of them.
The prince, Commodore-in-Chief Small Ships and Diving, officially opened the Royal Navy centre, which will be home to 1 Assault Group Royal Marines
Harry, wearing the service dress of the Household Cavalry and his AAC beret joked with a group of dignitaries who had patiently waited in blustery conditions to greet him, saying: 'Typical British, we complain when it¿s too hot and we complain when it¿s too cold'
WILLIAM SIGNS BIRTH CERTIFICATE FOR PRINCE GEORGE AT KENSINGTON PALACE... AND KATE PUTS 'PRINCESS OF THE UNITED KINGDOM' AS HER OCCUPATION
- Birth of Prince George of Cambridge officially registered by father William
- Registrar travelled to Kensington Palace for the special signing
- Occupations of the baby's parents are 'Prince' and 'Princess' of the UK
William’s full name, His Royal Highness Prince William Arthur Philip Louis Duke of Cambridge, is also given, along with his place of birth in Paddington, Westminster - he was born at the same hospital.
His occupation is listed as Prince of the United Kingdom.
His wife’s full name is given as Catherine Elizabeth Her Royal Highness, The Duchess of Cambridge, with her occupation described as Princess of the United Kingdom.
Her place of birth is listed as Reading, and her maiden name of Middleton is also included on the document.
Certificate: Prince William signed the birth certificate, and put his and Kate's occupations as Prince and Princess of the United Kingdom
The couple’s 'usual address' is given as Kensington Palace, London.
The certificate is signed by William, as well as Ms Cathcart, whose title on the document is given as deputy registrar.
Ms Cathcart, who has been Westminster City Council’s superintendent registrar for 22 years, has presided over several celebrity marriages including Sylvester Stallone, Joan Collins, Barbara Windsor and comedian David Walliams.
She said: 'It was of course a great pleasure to work with Kensington Palace in arranging the signing of the birth certificate for Prince George.
'This cements an association with Westminster City Council and royal births in the borough that goes back decades. We registered the birth of the Queen and Prince Charles and Princes William and Harry so it’s great to see that tradition continue.
'We can now add Prince George to that collection and again congratulate the Duke and Duchess on the birth of their son.'
ROSIE TAYLOR
No comments:
Post a Comment