'Memorable day' as HMS Queen Elizabeth sailors march through Edinburgh in special parade - pictures

Proud Royal Navy sailors marched through Edinburgh in their first engagement since leaving Portsmouth.

Dozens of personnel from HMS Queen Elizabeth’s ship’s company paraded down the Royal Mile. The public gathered in their droves to support the Freedom of the City parade; 250 sailors were accompanied by the Royal Marines Band Service.

The Rt. Hon. Lord Provost and Lord Lieutenant of the City of Edinburgh, Councillor Robert Aldridge, said: “What a memorable day for the capital as we celebrate the HMS Queen Elizabeth. The parade was a spectacular sight as the regiment exercised its privileges to parade through the City of Edinburgh with ‘drums beating, colours flying and bayonets fixed’ before the thrilling F-35 flyover.

“Her crew’s most welcome presence today has firmly closed a thirteen-year gap since their predecessors HMS Edinburgh last paraded here. We greatly value our connection with HMS Queen Elizabeth and His Majesty’s Armed Forces with many service units, personnel, families, and veterans based and living in our city.”

Sailors began the parade outside the Palace of Holyrood, marching past the Scottish Parliament building to Edinburgh’s City Chambers. There the Guard, led by Lieutenant Commander Julian Caithness, were inspected by the Lord Provost, escorted by Commanding Officer Captain Claire Thompson.

Following the inspection, the Lord Provost delivered a speech to the assembled ship’s company, emphasising the enduring links between the Royal Navy and the City of Edinburgh. After his address, the sailors marched onwards to St Giles Cathedral where they saluted the Lord Provost, their Commanding Officer, and the Naval Regional Commander Scotland and Northern Ireland, Brigadier Andrew Muddiman ADC RM.

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A spectacular fly-past involving an F-35 fighter jet wowed the crowds. CO Thompson said the parade was a “huge honour” for the ship’s company to inherit from the former HMS Edinburgh.

“We are proud to return now that the ship is well on its way to recovering warfighting readiness and on our generation pathway to very high readiness duties,” she added.

CO Thompson gave further details on what the 65,000 tonne warship has been doing since leaving Portsmouth earlier this month. She said: “This is the first in a series of UK and overseas visits after we assumed the role of NATO Afloat Command Platform. Our first period back at sea has been spent conducting sea trials, building skills and experience, and operating with the NATO staff embarked.

“We now look forward to welcoming the aircraft back to our flight deck in the next few weeks for the first time in nearly two years as we continue to develop.”

HMS Queen Elizabeth frequently embarks senior naval staff, receives foreign dignitaries, and acts as a command-and-control centre for the naval units and aircraft which accompany her. She is currently being supplied at Glen Mallan jetty in Loch Long. Her ship’s company of around 800 sailors have been conducting various training drills over the past few months.

Brigadier Andy Muddiman said: “It’s hugely gratifying to see sailors from HMS Queen Elizabeth parading on the Royal Mile, demonstrating the enduring link the Royal Navy has with the City of Edinburgh. In these challenging times I think it’s important to remind everyone that this is their Royal Navy, made up of men and women who hail from towns and cities across the UK and who represent that bond of friendship which connects us all.”