BARROW-IN-FURNESS (England): Britain's largest and most powerful attack submarine, the giant nuclear-powered HMS Astute, was given a beery royal launch on Friday.

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, launched the vessel not with the traditional magnum of champagne at the dockyard in Barrow, Lancashire, northwest England, but with a bottle of home-brew beer made by the ship's crew.

About 10,000 people, including workers, crew, military chiefs, dignitaries and schoolchildren witnessed the launch by the wife of Prince Charles, the heir to the throne. “As an admiral's wife myself, I am delighted to be in Barrow-in-Furness today for the naming and launching of Astute,” Camilla said. “I shall follow her progress with particular interest as she serves in the fleet.

“I name this ship Astute. May God bless her and all who sail in her,” she said, before pulling a lever to break the beer bottle against the submarine's hull.—AFP