For members of the royal family, smashing a bottle to launch a new ship used to be a straightforward affair, requiring little more than a sturdy rope, a strong swing and a little luck.
If they gave out medals for performing the task, the Princess Royal would surely be the undefeated world champion.
This traditional royal function, however, is now increasingly carried out with a little technological help.
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When the Princess of Wales took part in the official naming ceremony for HMS Glasgow in Scotstoun by the River Clyde, she instead flicked up a small red “launch” button, sending a bottle of whisky from the nearby Clydeside Distillery hurtling towards the ship’s hull.
Kate’s hit was taken as a sign of good luck, even if it prompted her husband to joke that it was a waste of a fine drop of scotch.
The princess joins a long line of royals getting a bit of help to get the job done. When Queen Elizabeth launched HMS Queen Elizabeth in 2014 it was done using a button. At other times she was seen to pull down on a fruit machine-style lever to complete the task. For decades, a button has now been the preferred method for larger vessels further out of reach.
Queen Elizabeth II pressing the official button
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Alas, the newfangled ways are not always the best.
When Queen Camilla, then the Duchess of Cornwall, pressed a button to launch the Cunard ocean liner Queen Victoria in 2007, the bottle failed to crack. It was taken as a sign of bad luck, which appeared to bear out when passengers suffered a widespread bout of norovirus years later.
For Kate and the Royal Navy on Thursday, however, it was a success.
In June 2021, Kate was named sponsor of the Type 26 anti-submarine frigate, which is designed to bolster the UK’s nuclear deterrent and aircraft carriers.
The princess is said to hold “a real interest” in the 8,000-tonne warship “and in the lives of those who will serve onboard”.
The naming ceremony gets under way in Scotstoun
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It features advanced systems such as the Sea Ceptor anti-air missile system, a five-inch naval gun, and the capability to carry both Wildcat and Merlin helicopters.
Or, as Prince William put it: “A hell of a piece of kit — screams UK power”.
Kate was also channelling naval royal history in another way, wearing a £1,850 navy and white coat dress by Suzannah London and hat by Philip Treacy, similar to the outfit worn by Princess Diana in 1993 for the commemorations to mark the 50th Anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic.
Kate wore a navy and white coat dress, a similar outfit to that chosen by Diana, Princess of Wales in 1993
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The princess also met the local jewellers who designed the brooch worn by the princess that was based on HMS Glasgow’s crest for the occasion.
Simon Porter, of jewellers James Porter & Son, said: “It was an absolute honour to see her wearing it. Against a plain navy background, it really stood out.”
After the naming ceremony, Kate and William went aboard to meet representatives from BAE Systems who have been leading the delivery of the vessel, as well as crew members from the Royal Navy.
The princess said that the 3D animations of the ship “looked very James Bond” and hoped that the sunny weather for the naming ceremony would prove to be “ a good omen” for HMS Glasgow.
She said: “It’s so exciting to see it all come together, all the technology is so impressive. What’s really interesting as well is seeing the international interest.”
HMS Glasgow at Scotstoun on the River Clyde
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When Kate asked why whisky was used rather than champagne, she was told that it was because the late Queen had once christened a ship with whisky from Morrison Bowmore Distillers, which the Morrison family previously owned.
Meeting a BAE employee, the princess said: “It’s a really proud moment for the UK, but particularly Glasgow, because there’s such international interest.”
She admitted that she was still getting to grips with some of naval terms.
“I’m still learning all my naval lingo,” she told one woman. “There are a lot of abbreviations that I don’t fully understand. I’ve got a lot to learn.”