The following is the King’s speech to BRNC passing out parade at Dartmouth on 19 December 2025:
Ladies and gentlemen, I am delighted to be able to join you today at Britannia Royal Naval College to celebrate those of you who are passing out. Each of you has demonstrated, through achievement of the very highest of standards, that you are ready to serve this nation with distinction.
I am, however, somewhat alarmed to think that it has been some fifty-four years since I stood where you are, as part of Blake Division. I have so many memories of my time here, particularly of driving up and down the Dart in the old picket boats as part of what I now see was a crash course in learning the rules of the road at sea by trying to avoid being mown down by over-enthusiastic yacht owners…
These experiences served me well when, five years later, I ended up commanding one of the last wooden-walled ships in the Royal Navy – the Ton class minehunter – and desperately tried to avoid becoming yet another headline in the tabloid newspapers by running into the jetty during a berthing operation in a force nine gale. This was all character-building stuff – which has stood me in good stead ever since!
I went on to serve in seven ships during my time in the Navy and, earlier this year, I hosted a large reunion at Buckingham Palace for my former shipmates from these ships. Seeing all my old associates reminded me of just how old I am, as well as of the lasting value of friendships forged in a common cause!
Ladies and gentlemen, you are joining the Service at an extraordinary time of transformation, full of opportunity.
Four years ago, I addressed your predecessors here as H.M.S. Queen Elizabeth had just returned from her maiden operational deployment, leading the first deployment of the U.K. Carrier Strike Group.
Only yesterday, my wife, as Lady Sponsor, and I, as Honorary Commodore in Chief, Royal Navy Aircraft Carriers, hosted the Ship’s Company of H.M.S. Prince of Wales at Clarence House, following her equally successful global deployment on Operation HIGHMAST.
Building on the lessons from 2021, this deployment achieved a great number of firsts – most notably having a full complement of F35s operating from her decks and those of our allies. In meeting many of the men and women serving, I was able to hear at first-hand of the valuable experiences they have all gained from their eight month deployment. I can only say that you all have so much to look forward to as you set out on your forthcoming careers in one of the oldest and most admired Navies in the world.
So, in facing new threats, risks and challenges, whether around our coastal waters or beyond, above or below the surface, or from the effects of ever-increasing and devastating natural disasters, the Royal Navy is evolving rapidly. Embracing new technologies, evaluating systems made possible by A.I., and proactively introducing uncrewed platforms where operations allow, the Service is characteristically leading the way.
However, vessels and equipment alone do not deliver success – people do. Your role is to lead those people: to inspire and to create the conditions for excellence, in peace and war.
My own service taught me that leadership is not about rank; it is, and has always been, about character. It is about making sound decisions under pressure, holding firm to our values when the seas are rough, and leading with humility and resolve. The values of Commitment, Courage, Discipline, Respect, Integrity, and Loyalty, which this great institution has fostered within you, are vital – you must live them and breathe them every day…
I am also immensely proud to see so many International Young Officers on parade today. It is the Royal Navy’s privilege to train you as our partners and allies, so that you may take what you have learned here into your own Navies. Equally, I am sure that the Royal Navy will have benefitted and learnt a great deal from you. Our most recent Carrier Strike Group deployment had over thirty nations participating in that operation. Our alliances and partnerships are our strength.
In this same spirit, today is also an important occasion for those who have supported each of you in reaching this memorable moment on parade and I am thrilled to see so many proud families and friends here amongst us.
I can only say how profoundly grateful I am for the sacrifices and contributions they have made, and will make, to your, and therefore the Navy’s, success. Their support will be essential to every one of you as you embark on a life of service.
I am sure that you will have received the very best of training from the dedicated and professional training team in this august establishment. So I hope you will now step out from here – open to innovation, ready to act and react instinctively as officers, able to shape the future of the Service and trained to defend our country and our allies.
You are all imbued with the same drive, determination and fighting spirit that have carried your forebears to victory. I can only wish each of you every possible success and good fortune as you embark on your future specialisations in the Senior Service. This country is lucky to have you…
