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Sir Keir Starmer announced the King has agreed to confer the ‘Royal’ title to the Port of Barrow in recognition of the town’s ‘unique and critical contribution’ to national security as home of nuclear submarine building in the UK.
The title is a recognition of the ‘dedication and commitment’ of the people of Barrow in delivering the submarines that protect the nation, now and for decades to come.
A mark of Royal favour for the whole of Barrow will also be given, a government spokesperson said.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer speaks to Royal Navy Submariners of the HMS Agamemnon nuclear submarine and to BAE system apprentices
The Prime Minister said: “It’s hugely significant and it’s a real honour bestowed by the King, and rightly so in my view because here we are in the Port of Barrow, where they’ve been making submarines, contributing to our deterrence for many many decades.”
Sir Keir told the Local Democracy Reporting Service he was ‘absolutely impacted’ by the level of ‘skill, commitment and professionalism’ at the shipyard.
He added: “As I said to the workforce, I met the frontline on one of the subs returning earlier this week and I was impressed with their incredible efforts in relation to the defence and security of our country.
“But actually, everyone who works here, and all the communities and the families here, do as well. So this is a huge honour for the port, for Barrow more generally frankly because this is a very special part of the United Kingdom and plays its own role in the defence and security of our country.
“They should be extremely proud, and I’m really pleased that’s been recognised in this honour.”
King Charles hopes to visit the town in due course to mark the town’s ‘proud heritage and prosperous future’.
The town’s shipyard is delivering Astute attack submarines alongside the Dreadnought boats that will form the UK’s at sea nuclear deterrent.
Barrow will also play a vital role in delivering the AUKUS programme – a joint endeavour between Australia, the United States and the UK – with the first SSN-AUKUS attack submarines being built at the BAE Systems site.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer speaks with CEO of BAE Systems Charles Woodburn
Defence Secretary John Healey said: “Barrow’s the home of our British submarine building; you can’t be in the shipyard here or in the town without getting that sense of pride and purpose.
“I think the royal status for the port is a recognition from the King and on behalf of the nation that we share the pride in what this town is doing and what the shipyard does, and we recognise the purpose as significant to us all.”
Defence Secretary John Healey (centre) meets with BAE system apprentices
The MP for Barrow and Furness Michelle Scrogham said she ‘could not be prouder’ that the King has recognised the town in this way.
Mrs Scrogham added: “The title is a recognition of the dedication and commitment of the people of Barrow in delivering the submarines that protect the nation, now and for decades to come.
“I know that His Majesty hopes to visit the town in due course to ‘mark the town’s proud heritage and prosperous future’, and if and when he does visit I know he will be enthusiastically welcomed and it will be a massive occasion for our area.”
Former MP for Barrow and Furness Simon Fell launched a campaign in 2023 for the town to achieve royal status.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer speaks to Royal Navy Submariners of the HMS Agamemnon
The campaign also received support from the former Lord Lieutenant, BAE, Westmorland and Furness Council, Cando FM, The Mail, the Rotary Club, as well as local arts and community groups.
Mr Fell said: “The community’s future has never been brighter – not least between AUKUS and the £200m we secured through Team Barrow.
“But this celebrates and recognises the past – that for over 150 years Barrow and its people have quietly got on with the job of building the boats that have kept us and our allies safe.
“They haven’t been showy about it – they’ve just got on with it. That takes a special character, and I’m over the moon that our friends, families, and their forebears are being recognised for it.”
Deputy leader of the Conservative group at Westmorland and Furness Council, councillor Matt Brereton said the granting of royal status is a ‘welcome surprise’.
Cllr Brereton added: “It is recognition of the upward trajectory the town is on, with the Team Barrow funding starting to be spent, town centre regeneration, a jobs boom in both the defence and green energy sectors, and a new university campus set to open its doors in September.
“None of these things in isolation will be transformative, but taken together, and with the buy-in from local people and businesses, the future is certainly bright for Barrow.”
