His Majesty’s day in Barrow recognised the town’s contribution to national defence and industry, and celebrated its new status as the ‘Royal Port of Barrow’.
HMS Agamemnon Commissioning Ceremony
His Majesty attended the Commissioning Ceremony for HMS Agamemnon, the sixth of seven Astute-class nuclear-powered submarines built at BAE Systems in Barrow. The ceremony formally marked the vessel’s entry into operational service with the Royal Navy.
A guard formed of the Agamemnon Ship’s Company marked The King’s arrival with a Royal Salute. His Majesty read the Commissioning Warrant before the ceremony concluded with the raising of the White Ensign, the official standard of the Royal Navy.
HMS Agamemnon is named after the King of the Mycenae who led the Achaeans in the Trojan War, continuing a proud naval tradition as the sixth Royal Navy vessel to carry this historic name. Once operational, the submarine will protect the UK’s strategic nuclear deterrent and aircraft carrier strike groups, whilst also safeguarding critical undersea infrastructure. The vessel can strike land targets up to 1,000 miles away and serve as a launchpad for Royal Marines Commando operations.
Following the ceremony, The King met BAE employees who were involved in the submarine’s construction, as well as serving personnel and their families.
Community regeneration visit
The King also visited The Bridge Centre, a careers hub in Portland Walk that forms part of plans to regenerate Barrow’s town centre. The facility provides education and recruitment services, connecting local talent with opportunities in the area’s growing industries.
At Coffee D’Ash, a café recently opened with support from Team Barrow, His Majesty met representatives from charities and community groups supported by the £5 million Team Barrow Social Impact Fund. These organisations included Love Barrow Families, Self-Harm Awareness for All, MIND in Furness, and Cumbria Addictions Advice and Solutions, among others.
Team Barrow is an ambitious partnership between government, Westmorland and Furness Council, and BAE Systems, delivering a comprehensive regeneration programme for the town. The partnership oversees the £200 million Barrow Transformation Fund, which will bring transformational change across town centre regeneration, transport connectivity, housing, skills development, and economic diversification over the next decade.
Royal Charter for Port of Barrow
At Barrow Town Hall, The King presented Letters Patent formally bestowing Royal Charter status on the Port of Barrow. This prestigious recognition acknowledges the town’s historic and ongoing contribution to national defence and maritime industry.
The Royal Charter means the port’s name will become the ‘Royal Port of Barrow’, highlighting the town’s remarkable shipbuilding heritage. The Barrow shipyard has been building Royal Navy submarines for nearly 125 years, with the first vessel, Holland 1, launching in 1901.
Before departure, His Majesty had the opportunity to meet members of the public, including local schoolchildren and community groups.
The King’s visit underscored the vital role that Barrow-in-Furness continues to play in Britain’s defence capabilities and industrial strength, whilst recognising the community’s commitment to regeneration and growth for the future.
Leave a Reply