Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal was guest of honour as the Royal Navy welcomed 155 future leaders into its family.
She – and senior officers – took the salute during the first passing-out parade of 2026 – and the most important date in the calendar of Britannia Royal Naval College: Lord High Admiral’s Divisions.
Princess Anne represented His Majesty The King – the nation’s Lord High Admiral who, traditionally, has welcomed newly-qualified officers into the Senior Service, as guest of honour at the historic Dartmouth establishment.
Her Royal Highness was joined by Admiral Sir Keith Blount who joined the Senior Service in 1984 and rose to become the second most senior officer in NATO, standing down just a few weeks ago as Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe.
He described the graduation by the 155 men and women passing out – 126 Young Officers turned from civilians into sailors, plus 16 sailors promoted from the ranks, and 13 warrant officers directly promoted – as a “momentous occasion”.
He continued: “It represents the triumph of endeavour and personal ambition, and it inspires confidence by showcasing the future of the Royal Navy.”
As well as the naval pomp and ceremony of a passing-out parade, those gathered on the parade ground and approaches in front of college were treated to a flypast from a Commando Helicopter Force Merlin and two Grob trainers, all from RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset.
Among those on parade was trainee warfare officer 23-year-old Midshipman Adam Gregson from Preston in Lancashire who said his time at Dartmouth had “uncovered and developed a whole new militarised person”.
He added: “I joined the Royal Navy to travel the world – to not to sit behind a desk – to learn new skills and to make my parents proud.”
He enjoyed many of the physical activities, but not one outdoor exercise on Dartmoor “in appalling weather – my bivvy was tested by the wind and the rain was so bad we had a stream running under our roll mats.”
Midshipman Samuel Pinkney, aged 23, from Essex, will now continue his training as a submarine engineer at HMS Sultan in Gosport.
“Even though I’ve only been in the Navy for 29 weeks, I already can’t imagine doing anything else,” he said.
“I would recommend anyone thinking of joining to do so and take on that challenge. The Royal Navy offered a place I could apply my skill from university with a sense of purpose.”
Proudly watching the young officers pass out in front of families and friends was Britannia’s Captain, Captain Andy Bray.
“Our newest officers have shown exceptional commitment to pass out today, and I know I speak for all my staff, as we proudly congratulate them as they commission into the Naval Service,” he said.
“Good luck to them all, and may they go on to lead the service with courage.”
Images provided by Royal Navy
