A FAMOUS name ‘docked’ at The Royal School last Friday, when Royal Navy Commander Ben Wales gave an inspirational talk.

Commander Wales is Commander Logistics on HMS Prince of Wales, after which a boarding house at the Haslemere school is named. Former posts include Captain’s secretary on HMS Illustrious and HMS Ark Royal, logistics officer on HMS Glasgow, and logistics adviser to the Iraqi Navy in Umm Quasr during the UK withdrawal from Basra under Operation Brockdale.

He joined the first ship’s company of HMS Prince of Wales in build as Commander (logistics) in December 2016.

Commander Wales told senior pupils about the strategic vision and support that led to a new aircraft carrier of this size and capability being built, the challenges involved and what it will be able to do.

School principal Anne Lynch said: “Commander Wales’ presentation provided a powerful insight into the amazing opportunities and extraordinary challenges faced by the command team of a vessel of this size.

“HMS Prince of Wales is due to make its first entry into Portsmouth in 2019, the year in which our senior boys and girls will enter the upper sixth together. Our thanks go to Commander Wales for an inspiring lecture.”