Princess Anne takes salute as 155 future Royal Navy leaders pass out at Dartmouth

The Royal Navy welcomed 155 future leaders into its ranks at Dartmouth as Princess Anne took the salute at Lord High Admiral's Divisions, the first passing-out parade of 2026 at Britannia Royal Naval College.

The Princess Royal was guest of honour as 126 young officers, 16 sailors promoted from the ranks and 13 warrant officers directly promoted, passed out in front of family and friends.

She was joined by Admiral Sir Keith Blount, who stood down only weeks ago as Nato's Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe. He described the graduation as a "momentous occasion".

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"It represents the triumph of endeavour and personal ambition, and it inspires confidence by showcasing the future of the Royal Navy," he said. 

Representing the King in his role as Lord High Admiral was Princess Anne who has a reputation as the hardest-working royal.

She is regularly the royal family member carrying out the most public engagements, and holds the ranks of Admiral in the Royal Navy, General in the Army and Air Chief Marshal in the RAF. 

She is also no stranger to Dartmouth, having taken the salute there before.

For those on the parade ground, her presence carried added weight. Lieutenant Heidi Sermulins said: "Marching up steps and looking up at Princess Royal definitely does bring pride. And she is Navy herself. It does make that extra special."

She said the reality of passing out had only really sunk in over the past few days, and that she and the women in her room had tried to settle their nerves on the morning of the parade with a little sing and dance to Party in the USA by Miley Cyrus.

Midshipman Arushi Bharadwaj said there was always added pressure in front of royalty, but called it "an honour to have her here at my pass out".

Both also spoke about joining the Navy at a serious time. Lt Sermulins said recruits had been told they "might be on the frontline the next couple of years", while Mid Bharadwaj said the years ahead would bring challenges but also opportunity.

He added that he intends to stay in the Navy as long as possible, progressing in his career until he gets his own ship.