Countess of Wessex attends passing out parade

The Countess of Wessex has attended the last passing out parade of the year at Britannia Royal Naval College (BRNC) Dartmouth.

Sophie praised the 170 marines on the BRNC parade and watched as the 123 Royal Navy cadets, 30 officers and 17 cadets of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary completed their training.

Sophie told them, “This is an important moment in your lives – the moment when you become serving officers in His Majesty’s Navy, the moment when you leave all the hard training behind and take on the mantle of responsibility.”

“Hitherto you have looked to others to guide you and show you the way. From now on, it is you who lead others. To lead—and to lead well—requires skill. Officers who stand out are those who respect the men and women with whom they serving first while appearing to nurture bonds of loyalty, credibility and respect. Today a new generation of naval officers has been born. I hope you will be proud of what you have achieved and what you will yet achieve.”