Royal Navy submariners dined with royalty at Windsor Castle to
celebrate the 125th anniversary of the Submarine Service.
Two hundred submariners and guests were invited to the special
event which was also attended by His Royal Highness the Prince of
Wales who is Commodore-in-Chief of the Submarine Service.
Also there was the First Sea Lord General Sir Gwyn Jenkins, Chief
of Defence Nuclear Madeline McTernan, and Fleet Commander Vice
Admiral Steve Moorhouse.
One of the guests of honour was Sir Mark Stanhope, the most
senior veteran of the Submarine Service, having served as First
Sea Lord from 2009 to 2013.
The submariners received the royal treatment, with guests greeted
at Windsor Castle's Quadrangle the central courtyard of the
castle's upper ward used as a reception site for visiting heads
of state and dignitaries.
Here there was a ceremonial sunset, a Royal Navy tradition
sometimes affectionately known as putting the King to bed, where
the White Ensign and Union Flag are lowered at dusk.
Guests then proceeded to the impressive Waterloo Chamber, the
huge state room which was built to commemorate the final defeat
of Napoleon Bonaparte, and which features 28 portraits of kings,
generals, and leaders involved.
Dinner was served in St George's Hall where His Royal Highness
delivered a speech highlighting how the Submarine Service demands
exceptional skill, unwavering trust in one another, and a
readiness to face challenges that very few can fully comprehend.
It is a calling which also demands profound sacrifice, he
emphasised, with long periods away from home, little or no
contact with the outside world, and the willingness to serve in a
unique and unforgiving environment.
The dinner was accompanied by a brass quintet from the Royal
Marines Band and culminated in traditional style with the singing
of sea shanties, delivered with much gusto!
Rear Admiral Andy Perks, Rear Admiral Submarines, said: Tonight
brought together a remarkable cross-section of the Submarine
Service community to celebrate 125-years of service to the
nation.
The Submarine Service has always been more than the boats we
operate or the missions we undertake; it is a community bound by
shared experience, mutual trust and enduring friendships that
span generations.
It is particularly fitting that we have been able to mark this
milestone at Windsor Castle with our Commodore-in-Chief,
reflecting upon both the proud history of our service and the
exciting future that lies ahead.
The event was held almost 125-years to the day that the Royal
Navy's first submarine, Holland 1, was launched from
Barrow-in-Furness, and just a few days after the service's latest
submarine, HMS Agamemnon, sailed from the same location on
September 25th.
The Windsor Castle gala dinner was one in a series of events
throughout the year marking 125 years since the birth of the
Submarine Service.
In April, Royal Navy submariners returning home from a deterrent
patrol were met by the Prime Minister and Defence Secretary in
recognition of the dedication and sacrifice submariners and their
families make to protect our nation.
Later, in June, HM Naval Base Clyde the home of the Submarine
Service was visited by His Royal Highness Prince William. While
at the site he visited a Vanguard Class submarine and spent time
with submariners' family members to learn about their lives and
experiences.
There have also been smaller celebrations throughout the year,
including a Submarine Service birthday bash for service children,
conferences, and even a fun Battle of the Boats sporting
competition.
Commodore Ben Haskins, Commander of the Submarine Flotilla, said:
This was a truly memorable event, that provided the opportunity
to mark the contribution of all those who serve and have served,
and their loved ones.
The theme of this year's series of events from Holland 1 to HMS
Agamemnon' provides a unique opportunity to celebrate both our
heritage and our bright future as an integral part of the Defence
Nuclear Enterprise.
The Royal Navy Submarine Service began with the arrival of its
first vessel, Holland 1, in 1901. The navy recruited six officers
under the command of Captain Reginald Bacon who was appointed
Inspecting Captain of Submarines.
Initially dismissed as underhand, unfair, and damned un-English,
submarines soon proved their worth. During the First World War
the service was awarded five Victoria Crosses, going on to earn
14 during its 125-year history.
Today, the Royal Navy Submarine Service provides the UK with
unique military capabilities. They can operate undetected,
contribute to intelligence gathering, special operations, and can
carry out surprise attacks at sea with torpedoes and on land
using Tomahawk missiles.
Submarines also provide a deterrent effect with the navy's
Vanguard Class vessels contributing to the delivery of the UK's
Continuous At Sea Deterrent (CASD), a mission which the Royal
Navy has fulfilled, unbroken, since 1969.
From the 2030s the nuclear deterrent baton will be passed to the
next generation of submarines the Dreadnought Class.
Work is underway at HM Naval Base Clyde to develop the site to
prepare for the arrival of the Dreadnoughts as well as the next
generation of attack submarines, known as SSN-AUKUS.
