Ship's Sponsor - Lady Hill-Norton

Lady Jenny Hill-Norton, wife of Sir Nicholas, is HMS RICHMOND's sponsor. Her gift to the ship is a unique cullet, which she engraved herself with a picture of the ship surrounded by an array of sea creatures taken from old charts.

Ship's Patron - The Gordon-Lennox Family

His Grace The Duke of Richmond and Gordon

The Duke and Duchess live on the Goodwood Estate. The Earl and Countess of March occupy the house. We have the Duke's Standard as a RAS flag and fly it when he is onboard. We also wear his lion on our royal blue cummerbunds.

The Duke last visited the Ship in June 2004, as she prepared to deploy to the Caribbean.

The Worshipful Company of Basketmakers

The Worshipful Company of Basketmakers had a bell cast by the Whitechapel Bell Foundry, made a christening cradle and entertained many of the ship's company to football matches at Arsenal and Chelsea during previous London visits.

Green Howards

Under the Command of Lieutenant Colonel Patrick T Roberts MBE Green Howards, the regiment maintain a close liaison with HMS RICHMOND and are currently based at Warminster near Salisbury.

Richmond, North Yorkshire

This is the town from which the ship derives its name and all other Richmonds, including the Duke. Mayor attended the keel laying ceremony, the launch, the departure from Swan Hunters and the Commissioning Service in Portsmouth. HMS RICHMOND was granted Freedom of the Borough in July 1996. The ship's company last visited Richmond in October 2000.

Richmond Upon Thames

The Borough granted 'Limited Freedom' (needs an act of Parliament for 'Full') in February 1996 when the ship's company paraded through Richmond. Twickenham is also in the borough and other links include the Chamber of Commerce, the Richmond Gate Hotel and the Royal Star and Garter Home (see Charities page).

King's College CCF, Taunton, Somerset

King's College CCF are some 200 strong and comprise three elements; Royal Navy, Royal Marines and Army. Regular visits are made by the ship's company to Kings College and the CCF have been to sea with RICHMOND on a number of occasions. King's College will join us again later in the year for a passage from Gibraltar to Plymouth.

TS GOODWIN, Parkshot, Surrey

Under the Command of Lt Jason Porter RNR, TS GOODWIN is a well supported and active unit that always attends Affiliates' Day and invites a representative of RICHMOND to their annual inspection.