The Royal Navy frigate, HMS Richmond, arrived in the port of Palma on Monday morning for a courtesy visit after a long deployment to the Pacific and Indian Ocean. She forms part of the Royal Navy Task Force led by the aircraft carrier, HMS Prince of Wales.
On Tuesday evening, British Ambassador Sir Alex Ellis presided over a welcome reception for local authorities aboard the HMS Richmond, with Captain Richard Kemp expressing his gratitude for their attendance and warm reception. Among those present were US Consular Agent Kimberly Marshall and French Consul Michel Magnier, alongside representatives from the National Police and Civil Guard.
The sight of HMS Richmond in Palma will bring back memories for the new British defence attache at the British Embassy in Madrid, Captain Anthony Crabb, as he commanded the frigate in 2016. She is now captained by Commander Richard Kemp OBE. The British ambassador to Spain, Sir Alex Ellis, also travelled to Palma for the visit.
HMS Richmond has had a long and successful career in the Royal Navy. She is a Type 23 frigate of the Duke class with an important arsenal of missile launchers and conventional guns and a helicopter.
She has has steamed many thousands of miles on her latest deployment acting as "bodyguard" to the aircraft carrier Prince of Wales. This deployment has involved exercises with many allies in the region including Japan, India and Australia.
Her crew of 250 will be looking for some rest and relaxiation in Palma before they embark on the latest leg of their deployment home to Britain.