Prince William and Princess Kate to leave England for vital duty in days

The Prince and are set to make a key visit to Scotland next week to attend a very special ceremony, Kensington Palace has announced. and Princess Kate will head to Scotstoun to attend HMS Glasgow's naming ceremony at the BAE Systems' shipyard on Thursday, May 22.

Kate of HMS Glasgow, designed to protect the UK's nuclear deterrent and aircraft carriers, in June 2021. On Thursday, she will participate in naming the ship by releasing a bottle of whisky, which will be broken against the ship's hull, according to the Palace.

She will then join her husband on board the ship, where they will meet representatives from BAE Systems who have been leading the progress of the delivery of the ship, as well as those from the Royal Navy who will discuss the unique capability that the ship will offer.

William and Kate will also visit the BAE Systems' Shipbuilding Academy to meet with apprentices and graduates.

They will hear about the shipbuilding and maritime training the students have received, including craft trades like fabrication, electrical, sheet metal work, welding, and pipefitting - all of which has contributed to the construction of HMS Glasgow.

Afterwards, they will meet a cross-section of BAE Systems employees from different backgrounds, trades and skills, who have all been involved in the building of the ship, and members of HMS Glasgow Ship's Company and their families.

In 2022, Kate met Royal Navy sailors from HMS Glasgow at Windsor Castle to hear about the progress of work being done on the ship and their experiences in the Royal Navy.

It comes after a busy couple of weeks for the Wales couple, who attended a series of royal engagements.

This week, Prince William attended Investitures at Windsor Castle, while he also appeared at the Order of the Bath service at Westminster Abbey today, where he was installed as Great Master of the ancient order. Tomorrow, he will be attending the 2025 Emirates FA Cup Final between Crystal Palace and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium.

Last week, both William and Kate carried out several engagements alongside the rest of the Royal Family to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War 2.