Some 250 members of the crew of the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth will parade up the Royal Mile on Friday morning, invited by the Rt Hon Lord Provost to exercise the freedom of the City of Edinburgh.
As part of proceedings an F35 is to fly across the city just after 10.30.
The parade of sailors “wearing their best ceremonial uniforms” will be accompanied by The Band of His Majesty’s Royal Marines Scotland as they step off from the Palace of Holyroodhouse up the Royal Mile to the City Chambers. At the City Chambers the ship’s company will be inspected by the Lord Provost.
There will be some short speeches and the sailors will then march on to St Giles’ Cathedral for the salute to the Lord Provost and the Commanding Officer of HMS Queen Elizabeth, Captain Claire Thompson.
The aircraft carrier is capable of carrying up to 40 F35 aircraft, and is one of the largest vessels built for the Royal Navy. Aircraft will be back on deck in the next few weeks.
The ship sailed from Portsmouth on 4 September and according to latest reports in the Greenock Telegraph, the ship is in the Clyde off Gourock. In the next few months the 65,000 tonne warship and crew of 800 sailors will be training for future operations.
