16th June 2026 | Lieutenancy News
Commissioning of HMS Stirling Castle
On Friday 12th June, Vice Lord-Lieutenant HH Robert Fraser MVO DL and Captain Andrew Canale MVO DL, attended the Commissioning Ceremony of HMS Stirling Castle in Grangemouth, Scotland.
Earlier this year The Royal Navy approved an affiliation between the County of Surrey and HMS Striling Castle, and a Memorandum of Understanding has now been agreed between The Surrey Lieutenancy and the Ship.
Sailors, their families and a host of dignitaries celebrated the commissioning of Britain’s unique minehunting ship into the Royal Navy fleet on the banks of the Firth of Forth in Scotland.
The ship is home to 45 sailors and officers, and helps extend the reach and effectiveness of Royal Navy minehunting operations and makes it safer for those sailors whose job it is to locate and destroy mines.
The ship officially became a Royal Navy warship last July, hoisting the White Ensign alongside in Birkenhead after spending her early service life as a Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessel.
She has since spent most of the last 11 months operating as a floating home to autonomous technology for hunting mines around the UK, although a recent mission took her to Gibraltar to deliver cutting-edge vessels and equipment as preparations continued for a mission to make-safe the Strait of Hormuz.
The ship’s schedule finally allowed time for the traditional act of commissioning, bringing together members of the ship’s company alongside their families, affiliated organisations, former colleagues, senior naval officers, civic leaders and VIP guests – all serenaded by members of the Royal Marines Band.
The ship’s sponsor, Baroness Davidson of Lundin Link, was in attendance, and a special service was presided over by Chaplain of the Fleet, The Reverend Doctor Mark Davidson.
Commanding Officer HMS Stirling Castle, Commander Phil Harper, said: “A ship commissioning is like a christening, and like the best christening events, we are surrounded by the friends and family that give meaning to our service. Our ship sponsor, Baroness Davidson, alongside with the Lord Provost of Stirling and a host of naval and civilian dignitaries are blessing us with their presence, and the families of many of my ship’s company have made long journeys to be with us today. Bless them all, and bless the ship.”
The traditional cutting of the commissioning cake was shared between the Commanding Officer’s wife, Helen Harper, and the youngest sailor on board, Able Seaman Brinley Pollard, symbolising the continuity of generations within the Naval Service.
This historic occasion also acted as a reflection on the journey of the ship so far and looked towards the future as the ship continues her service under the White Ensign.
HMS Stirling Castle is based at His Majesty’s Naval Base Portsmouth and was redesignated as a commissioned warship in July 2025, after initially being acquired in 2023 for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.
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