Prince Charles puts on a show for Portsmouth in 1976
Prince Charles perfectly berthed his minehunter HMS Bronnington at HMS Vernon, Portsmouth – under the close, professional scrutiny of his great uncle Lord Louis Mountbatten.
Lord Mountbatten, in the uniform of Admiral of the Fleet, was on the bridge as the sailor brought his ship into Portsmouth Harbour and secured alongside HMS Bossington – another minehunter at Marlborough Pier.
Prince Charles, who assumed his first sea command three months previously, welcomed his celebrated uncle on board when it docked at Portland Naval Base, Dorset.
Lord Mountbatten – one of the great destroyer captains in the Second World War – was no doubt pleased to see Bronnington’s smooth arrival at Portsmouth.