The United Kingdom's Carrier Strike Group (CSG) made a stop in
the Gulf of Naples, marking a significant moment for
Anglo-Italian cooperation in defence and security. For several
days, three vessels – including the Royal Navy's flagship HMS
Prince of Wales and the Type 45 destroyer HMS Dauntless – were
moored in the port and anchored off the coast of Naples, together
with the Norwegian ship HNoMS Roald Amundsen, after a five-month
mission in the Indo-Pacific aimed at strengthening NATO security
through major exercises with partners and allies, including
Italy.
The arrival of the CSG launched an intense programme of
multilateral and bilateral activities both on board and across
the city.
Sunday, 16 November – Music met heritage
The Band of the Royal Marines Scotland entertained residents and
visitors with a performance in the recently restored Galleria
Umberto I. Known for its precision and versatility, the band
presented a repertoire combining traditional military marches
with contemporary pieces, creating a unique cultural and
entertainment moment in the heart of Naples.
Monday, 17 November – Strategic dialogue at sea
On Monday, HMS Prince of Wales was visited by Foreign Secretary
and Defence Secretary , who then held high-level
bilateral meetings with their Italian counterparts, On. and On. Guido Crosetto. The
discussion focussed on foreign policy, defence, and security, at
a crucial time for Anglo-Italian collaboration in these sectors.
Cultural and community exchange
While strategic meetings for the Anglo-Italian relationship took
place on board HMS Prince of Wales, some of the ship's 2,200 crew
members took part in cultural and sporting activities, including
a culinary collaboration: Royal Navy chefs joined forces with
icons of Neapolitan gastronomy – master pastry chef Poppella and
renowned pizzaiolo Gino Sorbillo –
for two interactive cooking sessions. The exchange blended
British naval traditions with Neapolitan cuisine.
UK defence exports
On board HMS Dauntless, the International Collaboration and
Exports (IC&E) division of the UK Ministry of Defence, part
of the UK National Armaments Director (NAD) group, hosted the
UK-Italy Defence Exports Engagement Day. The event provided an
opportunity for key British and Italian stakeholders to discuss
defence-sector exports, with the aim of strengthening bilateral
cooperation, exploring strategic opportunities, and consolidating
shared objectives.
Reception celebrating UK–Italy bilateral ties
To conclude a day of strategic dialogue and cultural exchange,
the British Ambassador to Italy, , hosted an evening reception aboard HMS Dauntless.
The event brought together British and Italian representatives –
including diplomats, senior military officers, and local
authorities – to celebrate the enduring friendship and growing
cooperation between the two nations. The reception highlighted
the success of recent joint initiatives and underscored the
shared commitment to enhanced security, prosperity, and cultural
ties in recent years.
About HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Dauntless
- HMS Prince of Wales: One of the Royal Navy's two Queen
Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers, equipped to project air power
globally and support humanitarian missions.
- HMS Dauntless: A Type 45 air-defence destroyer equipped with
advanced radar and missile systems to protect carrier groups and
allied fleets.
