Princess Anne presents sailors with medals as she gets tour of Navy's newest frigate
The Royal Navy's newest frigate has welcomed a first-time visit from its sponsor, the Princess Royal.
Princess Anne visited HMS Venturer – the first of five Type 31 Inspiration-class frigates – at the Rosyth Royal Dockyard in Fife, where she was also able to meet those involved in the warship's construction.
The 455ft frigate is more than two years into her build with the hull and much of the superstructure complete.
Although much of her equipment had yet to be installed, in February the entire ship was lifted and measured three times to ensure the accuracy of the calculations.
The precise weighing was to validate the weight estimates that were made during her design phase.
Venturer and her four sister ships will be tasked with performing widespread duties around the globe when completed.
These tasks will involve "anything from operating independently on maritime security patrols to escorting the Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier strike groups to operating side-by-side with the UK's partners and allies", the Royal Navy said.
As the ship's sponsor, Princess Anne will have an opportunity to be the guest of honour at key moments in HMS Venturer's life, such as her naming and commissioning ceremonies, and will receive regular updates on the ship's deeds and activities.
HMS Venturer is not the only warship sponsored by the Princess Royal, she is also the Royal sponsor of the assault ship HMS Albion.
The Princess Royal is also Commodore-in-Chief of Portsmouth Naval Base and Chief Commandant of Women in the Royal Navy, among numerous long-standing associations with the Senior Service and other military titles and patronages.
During the tour, the Princess Royal was introduced to the ship's company which, with the frigate still under construction, is currently just 12.
Two of the ship's company were presented with Long Service and Good Conduct medals, including Leading Hand Adam Duncan.
"It was an honour to be presented with the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal by the Princess Royal during her visit to Venturer as recognition of my continued service," he said.
Commander Chris Cozens, the new frigate's Senior Naval Officer said it was an "honour" to have Princess Anne on board HMS Venturer.
"Her Royal Highness is an inspirational person and befitting as the figurehead to lead the Type 31 Inspiration Class into service alongside the ship's company.
"Today's visit comes at a transitional period between the final large sections being lifted into place in the build hall and the beginning of the fitting out before a launch at the end of the year.
"We welcome Her Royal Highness once again into the Royal Navy family."
Currently, construction of Venturer is under way at Babcock's assembly hall in Rosyth, where she is being built alongside HMS Active, the second ship in the Type 31 programme.
Once completed, Venturer will pave the way for the construction of HMS Active and the third frigate, HMS Formidable.
There will be five Type 31s built. The Inspire-class will replace five general duties Type 23 frigates.
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