The Duchess of Edinburgh visits HMS Daring during refit
The Duchess of Edinburgh has visited HMS Daring in HMNB Portsmouth, while the docked Royal Navy destroyer undergoes maintenance and renovation.
Sophie has been the Type 45's sponsor since 2006 when she helped launch the ship on the Clyde in Glasgow.
The air defence warship is coming to the end of a lengthy refit and regeneration programme carried out both in the ship’s native Portsmouth and at Birkenhead, where she became the second ship in her class to receive upgraded engines.
Daring returned to HMNB Portsmouth at the beginning of the year and since then the Type 45 Refit Support Group, led by Lieutenant Commander Christopher Shaw, has continued her regeneration for frontline operations.
While on the visit, Her Royal Highness met Royal Navy and BAE Systems personnel who are supporting the ship's upkeep.
To board the drydocked Daring, Sophie was required to wear full protective equipment, including overalls, safety boots, helmet, glasses, gloves and a face mask.
Lt Cdr Shaw said: "Having recently become Senior Naval Officer to both HMS Daring and HMS Dragon, it was my honour to welcome Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Edinburgh to HMS Daring as sponsor and to demonstrate the progress made in regenerating her ship back into service.
"Following Her Royal Highness' last visit in July 2021, Daring has undertaken the first phase of her upkeep and has successfully completed her engine and power upgrades through the Propulsion Improvement Programme conducted in Cammell Laird, Birkenhead.
"Since the ship's return to Portsmouth earlier this year, the second phase to her upkeep has started in earnest with further capability upgrades taking place whilst in dock.
"The collective efforts of the wider defence enterprise, including DE&S, BAE Systems, wider defence industry partners and my team of Royal Navy engineers at the Refit Support Group will be looking to get Daring back to operational readiness."
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