A 22-year-old from St Albans has been commissioned as a Midshipman after an intensive training course.

Katherine Butler was among the 155 cadets at the ceremony, watched by 800 family, friends, and guests

She said: “I have really enjoyed my training at Britannia Royal Naval College and am looking forward to moving on and starting my career specific training.

“I want to make a difference and not just sit in an office all the time, but to have variety in the day to day working environment.”

Katherine has just completed a 30-week training course, which included three weeks aboard the Navy’s flagship, HMS Ocean.

The course also included a five-day exercise with the Royal Marines, which she said was a highlight of the course.

Katherine received her education in St Albans, before taking a First in mathematics at Durham University.

Now she has completed the training course, she will remain at the college to complete training to be a warfare officer.