SUBMARINERS and their families were treated to a royal visit today as King Charles III attended HM Naval Base Clyde for the first time on official business in more than a decade.
His Majesty met with dozens of serving personnel and their relatives at Coulport on Thursday, September 19, taking the opportunity to thank them for their service on behalf of the nation.
Welcomed on-site by First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Ben Key KCB CBE, the King received the royal salute before being greeted by senior members of the Royal Navy.
The event marked the first time that he has visited the base near Helensburgh as head of the armed forces, although he has been to the military site in 2011 and 2013 as The Prince of Wales.
Commodore Paul Dunn OBE, commodore of the submarine service, said: "His Majesty’s visit, his first here as commander-in-chief of the British armed forces, acknowledges the valuable service of our submariners.
“The Royal Navy’s unbroken 55-year record of continuous at sea deterrence (CASD) is a tremendous source of pride, showcasing the skill, professionalism, and dedication of our defence enterprise.
“This remarkable national endeavour, entrusted to us since 1969, has seen our submariners and their families make significant sacrifices in the defence of our country.”
The King also took time to visit one of the Vanguard-class submarines which deliver the nuclear deterrent.
He was piped onboard before being shown the control room where he chatted with crew members about their roles and thanked them for their commitment.
His Majesty was also shown some of the living areas onboard, including the bunk space and galley. Before leaving the vessel, he visited the senior rates’ mess where he met a few more of the ship’s company and signed the visitors’ book.
During his visit, the King met with a group of gold deterrent pin holders, giving his personal thanks for their outstanding contribution. Royal Navy deterrent patrol pins are awarded to submariners for their contribution to the CASD effort.
There are three levels of achievement: pewter, silver, and gold. Gold is awarded to those submariners who have spent the greatest amount of time under the waves.
Chief petty officer Longhurst was among the submariners who were lucky enough to bring their family members to meet the King.
He said: “Meeting the King with my wife and shipmates today was a truly special moment, marking the culmination of my service as a Royal Navy submariner.
"It has been a challenging but fulfilling 23 years, seven of which have been underwater.
“His Majesty’s visit not only highlights the importance of the job we do in keeping the nation safe, but it also emphasises the invaluable support of our loved ones who stand by us through every deployment. Our families are the unsung heroes and today recognises that at the highest level.”
Commodore Sharon Malkin ADC, naval base commander, said: “HM Naval Base Clyde has supported the UK’s deterrent submarines since 1968.
"The one Clyde team on base is a collaboration of serving naval personnel, veterans, civil servants, and industry partners – many of whom are part of the local community.
"His Majesty’s visit to the Clyde today is a tremendous honour for all of us involved.”
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