HMS King Alfred celebrates new home with Royal visit

HMS King Alfred celebrated moving into its new home with a formal rededication ceremony in the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Michael of Kent, GCVO, who is also Commodore-in-Chief of the Maritime Reserve.

The ceremony marked the end of a major refurbishment programme that has seen the historic Semaphore Tower and surrounding buildings within HMNB Portsmouth repurposed into a first-class training centre for Portsmouth’s Maritime Reserves. 

Commander of the Maritime Reserves, Commodore Mel Robinson ADC, said: “The journey leading up to today has been one of teamwork, collaboration and success. Working closely with our partners across industry and the Royal Navy’s Infrastructure team, we have built a state-of-the-art facility which will provide a home for the Royal Naval Reserve, the Royal Marines Reserve and the University Royal Naval Unit attached to Portsmouth and Southampton Universities.”

The new centre is part of a transformation programme that will see HMS King Alfred become a waterfront regional training hub. This will make the unit a focal point for not only Reservists in the local area, but across the United Kingdom.

The Commanding Officer of HMS King Alfred, Commander Andrew Robinson, said: “As one of the largest Reserve units in the UK, these new modern and fit-for-purpose facilities will allow us to enhance our training, attract new talent and continue to contribute our specialist skills to the Royal Navy in support of global operations.”

An act of rededication was performed by the chaplains of HMS King Alfred in front of family, friends and guests. They were treated to a musical medley performed by the Royal Marines Band before witnessing His Royal Highness striking the ship’s bell for the first time.