Royal Navy: Prince William recounts drug bust on Portsmouth warship while joking about his fitness

PRINCE William has joked about his ‘lack of fitness’ with a Royal Navy physical trainer as he recounted the moment he was on board a Portsmouth warship during a dramatic drugs bust.
Tom Cotterill
By Tom Cotterill
Published 12th Nov 2020, 14:15 BST
Updated 12th Nov 2020, 14:25 BST

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Prince William pictured with troops during a Zoom video call. Photo: Royal NavyPrince William pictured with troops during a Zoom video call. Photo: Royal Navy
Prince William pictured with troops during a Zoom video call. Photo: Royal Navy

The Duke of Cambridge was reflecting on his time in the Senior Service during a Zoom call with military personnel in a Remembrance Day video chat.

The royal was speaking to Leading Physical Trainer Damon Bell, who is serving on frigate HMS Montrose in the Gulf.

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During the call, LPT Bell referred to Montrose’s recent £20m drugs seizure and joked about it being half the amount of a bust made by HMS Iron Duke while Prince William was embarked a dozen years ago to learn about the work of the Royal Navy.

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Speaking to the Duke, LPT Bell said: ‘At the minute HMS Montrose is out in the Middle East reassuring merchant shipping in and around the Strait of Hormuz.

‘We’re also doing counter-narcotics, as you’ll have seen in the papers lately we’ve done a £20m drugs bust – only half of what you got on the Iron Duke.’

In response, Prince William said: ‘I wasn’t going to bring that up Damon but I am glad it’s still being talked about.’

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The video chat also included RAF Flight Sergeant Gemma Thomson from 83 Expeditionary Air Group and Corporal Jiwan Thapa from the Queen’s Gurkha Signals.

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They spoke about their time in the military and what Remembrance means to them.

Prince William thanked the trio for their service.

‘We are still thinking about all of you guys, where you are, and the important job you’re doing and everyone is very grateful,’ he said.

As the embarked PTI, it is Damon’s job to keep sailors on Montrose in top condition – something Prince William asked for a little help with.

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On the call, he said: ‘I think after a number of lockdowns Damon I might need your PT skills to get me back into shape.’

PTI Bell replied: ‘I’m only on the end of a Zoom call sir – whenever you want.’

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Related topics:Prince WilliamRoyal NavyPortsmouthCambridgeMontrose

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