Royal Navy sailors have paid tribute to Her Majesty the Queen ahead of the Platinum Jubilee, spelling out 'E II R 70' onboard the nation's flagship off the south coast.
More than 300 sailors – nearly half the ship’s company – braved bracing winds during training on the vast flight deck of HMS Queen Elizabeth.
The Portsmouth-based aircraft carrier – formally named by The Queen in 2014 and commissioned in her presence three years later – briefly broke off from training for her autumn deployment to the Mediterranean to allow sailors to show their appreciation for the warship’s Sponsor.
Commanding Officer Captain Ian Feasey said:
“From HMS Queen Elizabeth, the Fleet Flagship, and the wider Royal Navy, we send our best wishes to Her Majesty the Queen on the occasion of her Platinum Jubilee, celebrating 70 years of her reign.
“Each of us that has the honour to serve in HMS Queen Elizabeth takes inspiration from our Sponsor, Her Majesty the Queen, who has dedicated her life to service and duty. These selfless qualities are central tenets of our ship’s ethos and the Royal Navy.”
The lettering was recorded for posterity by one of the Royal Navy’s most seasoned professional photographers, Leading Seaman Dan Rosenbaum.
The 42-year-old from Hertfordshire spent an hour above the flagship in a Merlin helicopter, advising the ship hundreds of feet below on her movements to get the best shot.
“There are many considerations to take into account,” said Dan.
“The larger the ship, the higher you need to be, for example. But the biggest factor is the weather.
“The direction of the sun is important – the carrier’s two towers cast huge shadows over the flight deck, so you want the shadows over the sea.
“Wind speed is key. Because the flight deck is high above the water, the wind is much stronger. And although the flight deck team are used to that, most of the ship’s company are not, so you need calmer conditions.”
The carrier – which is affiliated to London and Edinburgh – returned to Portsmouth Naval Base last week after her short spell at sea and Captain Feasey took the opportunity of the quieter spell to present Platinum Jubilee Medals to around 250 members of his ship’s company eligible for the decoration, which is only awarded to personnel who have served their country for five years or more.
The medals’ ceremony in the ship’s cavernous hangar was followed by Splice the Mainbrace – a Royal Navy tradition, which allows those who have been awarded the privilege to celebrate with a tot of rum.
Sailors aboard HMS Queen Elizabeth were awarded the honour by HRH Prince Charles after the ship’s successful maiden deployment to the Indo-Pacific, which ended just before Christmas.
Among those awarded their Queen’s Platinum Jubilee medal was Warrant Officer 1 Michael Baxendale, who is the Weapons’ Department Departmental Co-ordinator.
“I have served in the Royal Navy for 32 years and this will be my fifth splice the mainbrace. It’s been an honour to receive the Jubilee Medal on the Nation’s Flagship,” he said.
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