Royal family RECAP: Princess Kate christens HMS Glasgow with dramatic whisky smash

The Princess of Wales will join the Prince of Wales in Scotland to attend HMS Glasgow's naming ceremony. In June 2021, Kate was appointed as the Sponsor of HMS Glasgow, a state-of-the-art Type 26 anti-submarine frigate, designed to provide protection to the UK's nuclear deterrent and aircraft carriers.

During the joint outing, the Princess will take part in naming the ship by releasing a bottle of whisky which will be broken against the ship's hull. Following the ceremony, the couple will head onboard the ship and meet representatives from BAE Systems who have been leading the progress of the delivery of the ship, as well as those from the Royal Navy, who will discuss the unique capability that the ship will offer.

The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh will also continue their tour of the Scottish Isles, visiting the Isles of Kerrera, Seil, Easdale and Luing.

Prince Harry's rift with his father King Charles and brother Prince William is still the talk of the town. Curious to delve into the situation further, we decided to call upon a conflict coach to decipher what's really going on. Is a reconciliation possible?

Expert Julie Cobalt, a conflict coach, mediator and trainer specialising in family dynamics, has said the Duke of Sussex has made key mistakes in his public grievances with the royal family, which have in turn caused him to lose control of the conflict with his family."

Publicly criticising your family, especially in a memoir, virtually guarantees defensiveness and further distance. It also strips you of control over how your message is received," she told HELLO!. "If Harry's goal was reconciliation, a better strategy would have been to work with a conflict coach or mediator. Reconnection requires honest conversation, not public narration."

Check out the full story for all of Julie's insights.

Princess Margaret's son, David Armstrong-Jones, made a rare appearance with his private girlfriend, Isabelle de La Bruyère, at the Chelsea Flower Show on Monday. The pair were all smiles at the horticultural extravaganza, with Isabelle rocking a pleated skirt and a vibrant scarf, while David looked dapper in a smart navy suit. 

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Princess Beatrice struck sartorial gold on Tuesday as she made a glamorous appearance at the 2025 Matrix Awards in New York City. The event, which took place at The Ziegfeld Ballroom, celebrates those highlighted by New York Women in Communications (NYWICI), a leading organization for female communications professionals. 

For the glitzy occasion, the 36-year-old rocked a beautiful Rebecca Vallance cocktail dress complete with sparkling bows across the bodice. She paired her smart frock with a pair of Jimmy Choo heels and dainty gold jewellery. 

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We're looking forward to William and Kate's Scottish outing! Ahead of their arrival, find out more about their schedule for the day: 

• Kicking off their visit, the royal couple will attend the naming ceremony of the ship in Scotstoun. The ceremony will feature a royal salute and a flypast
• After the ceremony, Kate and William will go onboard the ship and meet representatives from BAE Systems and the Royal Navy 
• They will then visit the BAE Systems Shipbuilding academy where they will partake in a STEM activity with apprentices
• Finally, they will meet with BAE Systems employees who have been involved in the construction of the ship and members of HMS Glasgow Ship's Company and their families 

Good afternoon royal fans! Katie Daly here, HELLO!'s Lifestyle Writer. 

I will be bringing you the latest on the Prince and Princess of Wales' outing today, as well as all the must-see moments from the wider royal family and from their European counterparts. 

Stay tuned!

While we wait for the Prince and Princess of Wales to step out in Scotland, I'm keeping you updated with the latest from the royal families of Europe. 

© Det Danske Kongehus

Earlier today, Queen Mary of Denmark shared a message to mark Biodiversity Day alongside photos from her recent trip to the Cerrado in Brazil.  "As a patron of the United Nations Environment Organization (UNEP), it was a great pleasure to experience how UNEP, local authorities, and other stakeholders are working to promote the conservation of biodiversity, sustainable use of natural resources and mitigating the effects of climate change - to benefit Cerrado and other ecosystems worldwide," she said.

Mary was seen wearing an unexpected pair of white trainers with an A-line skirt and white linen shirt.

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The Duchess of Sussex released a number of personal photos as she marked her seventh wedding anniversary with Prince Harry on Monday. 

© Instagram / @meghan

One that caught our eye was a snap of Prince Archie moments after being born. He was swaddled in a blanket as his adoring dad looked on. The photo has never previously been shared with the public, however it featured alongside an ultra-sound scan photo and images of the couple that have, until now, remained in the personal Sussex archive. Archie was born on 6 May 2019 at The Portland Hospital in London. 

Today A Right Royal Podcast hosts Andrea Caamano and Emmy Griffiths and HELLO! royal editor Emily Nash sat down with royal author Robert Jobson to talk about the latest royal headlines. Make sure you tune in tomorrow when the episode goes live. In the meantime, here's a sneak peek!

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In case you missed it, the Duchess of Edinburgh has sparked a reaction with a 'glowing' new photo. 

© Orbis UK

Sophie, 60,  attended a charity event on Tuesday evening,  the third annual Orbis Visionaries reception at Battersea Power Station, posing for a portrait-style photo after having explored some of the charity's interactive displays. 

Fans on social media commented on the "stunning" image, with one penning: "Oh wow, how beautiful is the first photo of Sophie. She definitely is one classy lady, her dress is absolutely perfect on her. She's absolutely glowing."

Arriving by Range Rover to waving onlookers, the Prince and Princess of Wales have arrived in Scotland for their launch of HMS Glasgow.

© Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace

The royal couple were all smiles upon arrival. Kate has officially named HMS Glasgow by smashing a bottle of local Scottish whisky against its hull. Along with William, she conducted the traditional naming ritual at the BAE Systems’ shipyard in Scotstoun, on the bank of the River Clyde in Glasgow.

The ceremony began with a royal salute from the ship’s company for the royal couple who are known as the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay in Scotland.

Sporting an elegant Suzannah London outfit, Kate announced the launch of HMS Glasgow by saying: "I have the pleasure to name this ship HMS Glasgow, may God bless her and all who sail on her."

© Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace

The royal, who is the official sponsor for HMS Glasgow, was joined by William at the ceremony held at a berth on the River Clyde where the warship’s design and build was led by BAE Systems. 

Watching on were dozens of BAE Systems staff, their families, and senior Royal Navy officers who applauded as the bottle of exclusive single malt whisky made by the Clydeside Distillery broke.

© Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace

A contribution from each bottle sold will be donated to HMS Glasgow’s chosen charity, Place2Be, which supports children’s mental health in the Glasgow area. Kate is the charity's patron. 

Simon Lister, BAE Systems managing director, told those gathered for the ceremony: “In a world that continues to be volatile, we cannot underestimate the importance of this ship and the work we are doing here.”

The Princess of Wales opted for a splendid navy and white outfit for the occasion. Kate sported a coat dress by Suzannah London featuring a white stripe down the front. 

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Her look was accessorised with a Philip treacy hat, worn previously to the 2022 Trooping the Colour, and a pair of nude suede heels. Her hair was worn in a classic updo to accommodate the hat. For jewellery, Kate wore her beautiful sapphire and diamond engagement ring to match her drop earrings - both of which from Princess Diana's collection.

Don't miss our issue this week, out now! HELLO!'s Emily Nash reveals how the Princess of Wales is harnessing the power of fashion and how she has struck a balance to find peace and purpose.

Pick up your copy on newsstands or subscribe here to get it delivered every week.

William and Kate were a picture-perfect couple as they disembarked the ship. 

© Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace

Second Sea Lord Vice Admiral Sir Martin Connell thanked the couple for their support and those involved in the Type 26 endeavour.

"From the first ever HMS Glasgow, sailing under the Royal Navy flag at the end of the 17th century to the ship we see here in the 21st century, HMS Glasgow has evolved and adapted to meet the warfighting and operational demands of its day," he noted.

The Second Sea Lord added: "HMS Glasgow and her class represent the next chapter of naval innovation, safeguarding the UK’s interests and contributing to national prosperity." 

Kate met with apprentices and graduates during a visit to the BAE Systems' Shipbuilding Academy at the BAE Systems shipyard in Scotstoun. 

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The princess was all giggles as she got acquainted with the equipment used in building ships like the HMS Glasgow. Aided by second year pipe apprentices Natalie Black and Rory Hamilton, the couple built their pipes while chatting away.

As Kate screwed her pipes together, Natalie Black told her: “You look like you’ve done this before,” with the royal adding that it was her experience playing with the childrens’ toys that equipped her so handily. 

Kate smashed a bottle of exclusive single malt whisky made by the Clydeside Distillery to mark the occasion. On previous trips to Scotland, the royal has had a taste of the local whisky.

In 2014, Kate and William sipped the local offering from the Glenturret distillery in their roles as the Earl and Countess of Strathearn.  "I shouldn’t really try the gin because of the whiskey I had at Glenturret," the princess told David Lang, one of the founders of Strathearn distillery. 

Congratulations to Princess Alexandra of Luxembourg and Nicolas Bagory! The Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Luxembourg have announced the wonderful news that their daughter, Princess Alexandra, and her husband, Nicolas Bagory, are expecting their second child. 

The joyous announcement was made on Thursday, with an official statement expressing the family's delight. The statement read: "Their Royal Highnesses the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess have the great pleasure of announcing that Princess Alexandra and Mister Nicolas Bagory are expecting their second child."

The Court also revealed the expected arrival timeframe, stating: "La naissance est prévue pour l'automne," which translates to "The birth is expected in the autumn."

Following their visit, the Prince and Princess of Wales shared a series of lovely pictures from their outing in Scotland. The message read: "Honoured to attend the naming ceremony of HMS Glasgow today. Everything is looking ship shape!"

King Frederik and Queen Mary of Denmark are attending a gala dinner at Danish Industry, celebrating BusinessEurope. CEO Lars Sandahl Sørensen greeted the royal couple upon their arrival in Copenhagen. Doesn't Queen Mary look fabulous?

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Another royal outing this evening! Princess Charlene and Prince Albert are hosting a dazzling reception tonight in honour of the 82nd Monaco Grand Prix. The Princess looked stunning as they welcomed guests to the soirée in the Cour d'Honneur of the Prince's Palace. 

And that's a wrap for our live blog today! Thanks so much for following along with all the royal happenings. We'll be back tomorrow with more updates, so be sure to visit us again.