The Captain and members of the crew of aircraft carrier HMS PRINCE OF WALES will be visiting Bristol in December to mark the ship’s affiliation with the city.
The Navy’s 65,000-tonne warship is too large to visit its affiliated port of Bristol but Captain Steve Higham will lead a delegation from the ship to take part in a number of activities around the city's Floating Harbour to forge close links with the people and businesses of Bristol.
Events will include a dinner on board the SS Great Britain; a business event at Ashton Gate Stadium; visits to Roll-Royce and Aerospace Bristol Concorde Museum and gig racing against members of the Bristol community in the Floating Harbour.
On Sunday December 12 a special Evensong service that everyone in the City is encouraged to attend will be held at Bristol Cathedral. A White Ensign flag will be gifted to the City and will then permanently fly within the Cathedral to mark the city’s close links with HMS PRINCE OF WALES.
On board the ship the Bristol Suite has been decorated with iconic photographs of the city and it will be used to host VIP and international visitors that stay on board.
Mrs Peaches Golding OBE, Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Bristol, who represents the Queen in the city, leads the affiliation with HMS PRINCE OF WALES.
She said: “Bristol is a sea-faring city and we must ensure that our maritime traditions are not all about the magnificent past. This association with the most magnificent ship in the Royal Navy keeps alive Bristol’s links with the sea and our wonderful Royal Navy.
“There are a number of events planned and I am sure Bristol people will embrace the opportunity to meet with the crew and learn more about this brand new fifth generation aircraft carrier that is now ready to do its job.”
HMS PRINCE OF WALES has a flight deck that is 70 metres wide and 280 metres long – enough space for three football pitches. She has a minimum crew of around 700, increasing to around 1,600 with aircraft onboard.
Further information about the affiliation can be found at www.bristolaffiliation-hmspwls.com.
Anyone wishing to attend the Evensong ceremony can secure a place at Bristol Cathedral through its website: https://bristol-cathedral.co.uk/whats-on/white-ensign
Further information on the ship can be found at: https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/our-organisation/the-fighting-arms/surface-fleet/aircraft-carriers/hms-prince-of-wales
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