New flagship: HMS Prince of Wales to take over from her sister HMS Queen Elizabeth
For the first time in her five-year career HMS Prince of Wales will become the Royal Navy's new flagship.
The 65,000-tonne aircraft carrier will take over the role from her sister ship HMS Queen Elizabeth during a visit to Liverpool next week.
HMS Prince of Wales is preparing for the upcoming UK Carrier Strike Group 2025 operation, which will take the vessel and her task force east of the Suez Canal on a global mission.
The UK's two Queen Elizabeth-class carriers will rotate the flagship role between them, with one ready to deploy at short notice for priority tasking and the other in routine maintenance.
There is no formal ceremony to mark the changing of responsibilities.
HMS Prince of Wales will officially become the flagship in Liverpool at 10:00 on Monday.
'We're ready'
"This is a proud moment for HMS Prince of Wales," said the Commanding Officer of HMS Prince of Wales, Captain Will Blackett.
"We've been training hard, ably assisted by our sister ship HMS Queen Elizabeth. We're ready, we're excited, and look forward to taking the next step in the ship's life."
HMS Queen Elizabeth's Commanding Officer, Captain Will King, added: "Every sailor in HMS Queen Elizabeth knows the pride that comes from serving in the RN flagship.
"I wish HMS Prince of Wales every success taking on the title – they will do a fantastic job. As her sister-ship, we stand ready to support her in every way."
The soon-to-be flagship has just completed preparations for the global mission in 2025, leading the UK Carrier Strike Group that took part on Exercise Strike Warrior last month.
HMS Prince of Wales embarked F-35B Lightning jets from 809 Naval Air Squadron for the first time, a powerful demonstration of resolve and cooperation in the North Sea.
She was joined by frigates, destroyers, submarines, Royal Fleet Auxiliary tankers and helicopters as they tested their ability to carry out operations seamlessly together.
This training was a critical milestone for the ship, its air group and escort vessels as they prepared for the upcoming global deployment.
Most recently the ship has been to Glen Mallan to take on more ammunition.
She will now head to her affiliated city Liverpool for a seven-day visit, allowing her 800 crew to engage with local schools, community projects and civic leaders – and give the public an insight into life aboard the Portsmouth-based warship.
It is the first time since March 2020 that the ship's schedule has allowed her to visit Merseyside.
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