HMS Montrose Joins Chilean Navy's 200th Birthday Celebrations

The Type 23 Frigate has undergone a major refit (Picture: Royal Navy).

HMS Montrose has been reunited with former British warships as part of celebrations to mark the Chilean Navy's 200th birthday.

The Type 23 frigate was joined by former Royal Navy vessels, HMS Grafton, Sheffield and Marlborough, now serving under the Chilean flag at the port of Valparaiso where a series of high-profile anniversary events were staged over nine days.

HMS Montrose was the only UK representative at the bicentennial, which included warships from the US, Australia, New Zealand and other South American Navies.

HMS Montrose played host to a reception where the Princess Royal and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence met members of the ship's company.

The reception was supported by the Royal Marines Band from HMS Collingwood, who spent over a week in Chile performing at a variety of events. 

Commander Conor O’Neill gave the Vice Admiral and Princess Royal a tour of the frigate to see the many changes made since the ship emerged from a major refit.

Commander O’Neill said: "Our time in Valpariso allowed us to represent the Royal Navy at the Chilean Navy 200 celebrations, highlighting our long-standing friendship with the Chilean Navy and building our relationships in this hemisphere.

“It was a privilege to host the Princess Royal onboard HMS Montrose; the ship’s company demonstrated how proud they were of their ship.”

The reception ended with the Princess Royal taking a Royal Salute from HMS Montrose’s Guard of Honour, before departing to a school for disabled children where the ship’s company had been hard at work.