Royal baby Prince George gets a traditional toast from 600 Brit sailors

Six hundred sailors recently gathered to toast the birth of royal baby Prince George in a tradition dating back hundreds of years.

The Royal Navy personnel gathered at Portsmouth Naval Base, Hampshire, to “splice the mainbrace” - a celebration involving drinking a tot of rum, the Mirror reported.

In a signal to navy sailors across the globe, First Sea Lord Admiral Sir George Zambellas said he had the pleasure of sending loyal greetings and warmest good wishes, on behalf of the Royal Navy, to Her Majesty The Queen on the birth of HRH Prince George of Cambridge.

Splicing the mainbrace has its origins in the days of sail and refers to fixing the main brace of a sail that had broken - usually in a storm or battle. Such a repair was strenuous work and it was customary for sailors carrying out the task to be rewarded with an extra ration of rum.

Nowadays the order to “‘splice the mainbrace” is issued to mark special occasions such as a change of monarch, royal birth or royal wedding.