Unique honour for HMS Queen Elizabeth's crew as they celebrate Freedom of Edinburgh

250 sailors from the giant aircraft carrier were there at the invitation of Edinburgh’s Lord Provost, Councillor Robert Aldridge, who was joined by city officers and guests. 

Accompanied by The Band of His Majesty’s Royal Marines Scotland, the 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 HMS Queen Elizabeth’s 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.

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.” 

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.

During the event there was also a spectacular fly-past by an F-35 Lightning stealth fighter – the same aircraft which graces the deck of HMS Queen Elizabeth when they embark from RAF Marham – wowing tourists and spectators who had paused to witness the freedom parade. 

Captain Claire Thompson, Commanding Officer of HMS Queen Elizabeth, said: “We have taken the opportunity to exercise HMS Queen Elizabeth’s Freedom of the City of Edinburgh which is a huge honour the ship’s company inherited from the former HMS Edinburgh.

“This event involves our ship’s company marching through the city in our best ceremonial uniforms, which symbolises the strong links we have with Edinburgh strengthened recently by our docking period in Rosyth.

“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.”

Captain Thompson continued: “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.”

As a capital ship, 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.

The warship is capable of carrying up to 40 aircraft and is one of the largest and most powerful vessels ever constructed for the Royal Navy. 

HMS Queen Elizabeth sailed from her home port at Portsmouth on September 4 to continue planned training for operations around the UK and Northern Europe.

Over the next few months, the 65,000-tonne warship, and her crew of around 800 sailors will undertake training ready for future operations.

Brigadier Andy Muddiman ADC Royal Marines, Naval Regional Commander Scotland & Northern Ireland 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.”

For some three decades the previous HMS Edinburgh was affiliated to the city until her decommissioning in 2013. The freedom of Edinburgh was passed to the future HMS Edinburgh, an anti-submarine frigate that is currently in-build at BAE Systems in Glasgow.

As the City Class ship will not enter service until after 2030, HMS Queen Elizabeth has been given permission to hold the affiliation, continuing the close links between Edinburgh and the Royal Navy. 

Edinburgh’s nearby ports of Leith and Rosyth have both played a key role in connecting Edinburgh to the world and to the Royal Navy.

Leith has played a crucial role in maritime trade since the 14th century and is now home to the Royal Yacht Britannia, a major tourist attraction in the area.

Rosyth Dockyard, located nearby on the Firth of Forth, plays a vital part in supporting Royal Navy vessels including HMS Queen Elizabeth’s recent docking period. The Royal Navy’s new Type 31 Inspiration Class frigates are being constructed by Babcock International at the site.

HMS Venturer, the first of class, was rolled out of Rosyth’s assembly hall last year, with HMS Active rolling out earlier this year. Three further ships – HMS Formidable, Bulldog, and Campbeltown – are at various stages of construction.