The crew of HMS Queen Elizabeth have been working to ensure the ship looks her best ahead of the commissioning of the aircraft carrier into the Royal Navy, a commander has said.
Senior warfare officer, Lieutenant Commander Nick Leeson, revealed the ship’s 700-strong company had been undertaking a ‘healthy amount of activity’ to ensure the vessel was ready.
Those in attendance at the ceremony later today include the Queen, Princess Anne and First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Philip Jones, as well as some 3,700 guests. Prime Minister Theresa May had been due to attend but cancelled amid ongoing talks over Brexit.
HMS Queen Elizabeth is undergoing final preparations before her commissioning ceremony in Portsmouth today
The flag ship will officially join the Royal Navy in Portsmouth in a ceremony later today inspected by Queen Elizabeth
The 700 crew has been busily preparing for its commissioning ceremony before the Queen and a VIP audience
Able Seaman Ellie Smith, left, and Able Seaman Jessica Hewes practice raising the Ensign on the flight deck of HMS Queen Elizabeth ahead of the official ceremony later today
Lt Cdr Leeson will be the officer commanding the royal guard during the ceremony, when the Queen, accompanied by Captain Jerry Kyd, will inspect the front rank.
‘I will be in the middle of the hangar in front of the 96 man guard, and I will be reporting the guard and speaking to the Queen as she comes to inspect us,’ he told the Press Association.
‘It is a massive thing of personal pride for me,’ he said of the moment.
‘It will be the first time that I have met the Queen so it is a real honour and a real privilege, and it is the first time I have commissioned a ship into service as well.
‘Just to be associated with this amazing ship is a real privilege.’
There were frenzied scenes in Portsmouth yesterday as preparations continued for the event taking place later today
While some crew were involved in rehearsals, others ensured the vessel was fit for a Queen and her VIP guests
The crew seemed relaxed ahead of today’s VIP commissioning ceremony on board the vessel
Asked if the crew had been tidying up ahead of the big day, he said there had been a ‘healthy amount of activity’, stressing that everyone wanted to ‘make sure the ship looks her best on this magnificent day’.
To prepare for the ceremony, the hangar of the aircraft carrier has been cleared and seating installed, as well as screens so that those attending can witness the White Ensign being raised on the top deck.
Lt Cdr Leeson added of the ceremony: ‘It is a big deal, but we are delighted to be on show, we are delighted to be here presenting this magnificent ship to our friends, to our family and to the nation essentially.
Commodore Jerry Kyd, captain of HMS Elizabeth will accompany the Queen later today along with his Lieutenant Commander Nick Leeson who will command the royal guard
Members of the 700 crew have been preparing for today’s commissioning ceremony with a series of rehearsals
96 members of the crew will be a special guard for the Queen during the ceremony which will also be attended by the PM
‘Since we have been back in our base port of Portsmouth we have really been cracking on with the commissioning preparations, and this last week it has been our sole focus.’
He added: ‘I hope I don’t get stage fright, so far my voice has survived which I think is the crucial part of barking a lot of orders. But I think we are all looking forward to it.’
Hoisting the White Ensign above HMS Queen Elizabeth for the first time will be a day to look back on forever, a young sailor carrying out the honour has said.
The flag is one of the world’s most recognisable naval standards and has flown from British warships, boats, bases, and Royal Marine craft for more than 150 years.
Featuring a St George’s Cross on a white background and a Union flag in the upper left corner, the White Ensign will be raised above HMS Queen Elizabeth for the first time on Thursday.
Lieutenant Commander Nick Leeson, pictured, is in charge of commanding the royal guard during the ceremony
Following tomorrow’s ceremony, the 65,000-tonne vessel with join the Royal Navy and continue its preparations for deployment with the planned introduction of its F-35b jets during 2018
The ships company of 87 women and 613 men were completing preparations last night
Ratings on board the ship performed marching practice in the massive hangar yesterday
The Queen will be joined by Princess Anne on board, but Theresa May has cancelled amid ongoing Brexit talks
The process will signify the acceptance of the 65,000-tonne, £3.1 billion behemoth into the Royal Navy, alongside the reading of the commissioning warrant.
Able Seaman Ellie Smith from Hull said she is excited to be tasked with the job of raising the White Ensign, ensuring it unravels slowly as it is hoisted and does not touch the ground.
‘I hope it goes well,’ the 20-year-old told the Press Association while practising the routine on the flight deck ahead of the commissioning ceremony.
‘This is something to look back on for the rest of our lives and we can say ‘I was there’, which will be a really good thing to be able to say.’
Steward Callum Hui from Lynton, Devon, is the youngest crew member onboard and he has been given the task of cutting a cake
She said having the Queen on board for the ceremony will be exciting too.
Able Seaman Jessica Hewes from Portsmouth, who will pull the ropes to hoist the flag as the national anthem is played, revealed she is a little nervous ahead of the ceremony.
‘I don’t want to mess it up,’ the 26-year-old said. ‘But I am enormously proud. It makes us part of the fleet.’
She said she was ‘just lucky enough’ to be picked to carry out the task and described it as ‘one of the biggest’ moments of her career.
‘I am incredibly excited,’ she added.
The youngest crew member serving on HMS Queen Elizabeth will undertake the honour of cutting the cake during a ceremony to accept the ship into the Royal Navy.
Steward Callum Hui from Lynton, Devon, began his basic training in March, passed out in June and then joined the nation’s future flagship in October.
The 17-year-old signed up to the Royal Navy soon after finishing school and has been given the task of slicing the cake during the commissioning ceremony on Thursday.
‘I am excited to say the least,’ he told the Press Association.
‘This is my first ship, straight out of training, and just to have the honour of cutting the cake on commissioning day – it is exciting stuff.’
Describing the moment, which is a service tradition, as a definite peak in his short career, he said it ‘will probably be one of the stories you tell your kids’.
As well as the royal party, there will be more than 3,000 guests including the crew’s family
The Royal Navy ratings were sent through their paces during some last-minute rehearsals
The aircraft hanger, pictured, should receive the first of its fighter jets during 2018
the names of some of those involved in building the vessel have been displayed in the hangar
He will be joined in slicing the aircraft carrier cake by the wife of commanding officer, Captain Jerry Kyd.
Using a sword, they will be watched by the Queen and guests including the First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Philip Jones, as well Steward Hui’s mother, Pak, and brother, Vincent.
‘I am definitely looking forward to seeing my family and them being able to see me on the day, cutting the cake,’ he added.
Asked if he is treated any differently as the youngest member of the ship’s 700-strong company, he said he is dealt with ‘exactly the same as anyone else’.
‘When you are working, you don’t really notice that you are under 18,’ he added.
The crew have been working to ensure everything goes like clockwork later today in front of the royal guests and VIPs
The white ensign, pictured yesterday during a rehearsal, will be raised officially today
These are the first crew members onboard HMS Elizabeth during her 50-year lifespan