Final Type 45 destroyer commissioned
HMS Duncan, the sixth and last of the Royal Navy's new-generation Type 45 destroyers, has been formally commissioned into the fleet.
![Members of HMS Duncan's ship's company line up on the dockside at the ship's commissioning ceremony [Picture: Leading Airman (Photographer) Maxine Davies, Crown copyright]](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a61adf8e5274a0a2048745d/s300_FX130339012.jpg)
Members of HMS Duncan's ship's company at Portsmouth Naval Base
Hundreds of guests, including families of the 190-strong ship鈥檚 company, attended a 鈥榗hristening鈥� ceremony yesterday, 26 September, at Portsmouth Naval Base to mark the ship鈥檚 transition into front line service.
皇冠体育app event marks a significant milestone for the fleet of Portsmouth-based Type 45s 鈥� the most powerful ships ever built for the Royal Navy.
HMS Duncan's commissioning ceremony [Picture: Leading Airman (Photographer) Maxine Davies, Crown copyright]
皇冠体育app first , HMS Daring, was commissioned in July 2009 and has been followed by her sister ships Dauntless, Diamond, Dragon, Defender and now Duncan.
Principal guests at the commissioning ceremony included Lady Marie Ibbotson 鈥� the ship鈥檚 sponsor who launched the vessel at 鈥� Govan shipyard on the River Clyde in October 2010 鈥� and First Sea Lord Admiral Sir George Zambellas. Dignitaries from the ship鈥檚 affiliated cities of Belfast and Dundee and veterans from the last HMS Duncan 鈥� a Type 14 frigate in service between 1957 and 1985 鈥� were also present.
Lady Marie Ibbotson, the ship's sponsor, takes the salute during HMS Duncan's commissioning ceremony [Picture: Leading Airman (Photographer) Maxine Davies, Crown copyright]
Commander James Stride, Duncan鈥檚 Commanding Officer, said the event was a proud moment for all personnel serving on the ship:
皇冠体育app commissioning ceremony marks a major milestone in the life of . We are delighted that it can be shared with so many distinguished guests, friends, family, affiliates and former Duncanites.
Members of HMS Duncan's ship's company [Picture: Leading Airman (Photographer) Maxine Davies, Crown copyright]
皇冠体育app hour-long ceremony was rounded off in traditional Royal Navy fashion with the cutting of a commissioning cake. Performing the honour was the commanding officer鈥檚 wife, Emma, along with the youngest member of the ship鈥檚 company, Logistician (Steward) Clancey Welford, aged 18.
皇冠体育app first 4 Type 45s have already experienced life on operational deployments and the fifth, HMS Defender, is due to deploy for the first time next year.
Now commissioned, HMS Duncan will continue an intense period of trials and training around the UK lasting well into next year before being ready to undertake operational tasking along with her sister ships around the globe.