The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attend the naming ceremony for the RRS Sir David Attenborough

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Today, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attended the naming ceremony for a new polar ship which will help us understand more about the Earth as a sustainable planet

The new polar ship was commissioned by The Natural Environment Research Council, built by Cammell Laird and operated by British Antarctic Survey.

The building of the RSS Sir David Attenborough will enable world-leading research to be carried out in Antarctica and the Artic over the next 25 to 30 years.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attended the naming ceremony for a new polar ship which will help us understand more about the Earth as a sustainable planet

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were accompanied by Sir David Attenborough when they met some of the ship’s scientists who demonstrated some of the equipment which will be used to carry out research whilst at sea.

Their Royal Highnesses also met some of the schoolchildren who are involved in BAS’s ‘Polar Explorer’ programme.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge with Sir David Attenborough attended the naming ceremony for a new polar ship which will help us understand more about the Earth as a sustainable planet

This programme encourages schools to enrich their teaching of STEM subjects about polar science and the future expeditions of RSS Sir David Attenborough.

The Duchess of Cambridge, the ship’s Sponsor, formally names the ship in the traditional way of smashing a bottle of champagne against the hull of the ship.