HMS Prince of Wales has officially taken on the role of Royal Navy flagship, a first for the carrier in her five-year career.
As the ship gears up for the ambitious UK Carrier Strike Group 2025 deployment, her Commanding Officer, Captain Will Blackett, told me what this moment means for the ship and her crew.
“It’s the culmination of a lot of hard work,” Captain Blackett explained. “It’s the first time this ship has held that duty, and we have stood up over the course of four years. We’ve overcome quite a lot of challenges.”
The flagship title is a key role within the Royal Navy’s operational structure, regularly rotated between the two Queen Elizabeth-class carriers, HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Queen Elizabeth. While one is ready to deploy for priority tasking, the other remains in routine maintenance. HMS Prince of Wales inherits this responsibility as she prepares to lead a global task force on a mission spanning from the UK to the Pacific.
Onboard @HMSPWLS, George Allison spoke to Captain Will Blackett about the ship’s role as flagship, its connection to Liverpool, and what the sight of a British carrier means to adversaries and allies alike. #HMSPrinceOfWales #RoyalNavy pic.twitter.com/96dgUJNoYT
— UK Defence Journal (@UKDefJournal) December 3, 2024
Reflecting on the preparations, Captain Blackett added: “I’ve been here for a year, and I’ve joined a ship that had come from the propeller repair that you have spoken and written about in the past, all the way through to this point here, which is effectively a year of really hard work.”
The journey to becoming the flagship has not been without its challenges. From significant repairs to intensive trials and training, the crew has worked tirelessly to bring the ship to operational readiness. Captain Blackett remarked, “Putting the ship through her paces, materially, putting the team through their paces from a training perspective, and bringing it all together to say we’re ready to go. The ship works, the team know what they’re going to do, and we’re on standby now waiting for instructions.”
HMS Prince of Wales assumes the title from her sister ship, HMS Queen Elizabeth, which had served as flagship during numerous high-profile operations. HMS Queen Elizabeth’s Commanding Officer, Captain Will King, expressed his pride and support for the transition. “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.”
An interview with HMS Prince of Wales’ Captain Will Blackett
This significant moment in HMS Prince of Wales’ career will be marked by her official designation in Liverpool, her affiliated city, during a seven-day visit. While there is no formal ceremony for the transfer of the flagship role, the two carriers met in UK waters before HMS Prince of Wales began her journey to Merseyside. The visit provides an opportunity for the ship’s crew to engage with the local community, showcasing their pride and readiness for the global mission ahead.
As HMS Prince of Wales embarks on her new chapter, Captain Blackett summed up the crew’s sentiment simply: “We’re ready to go.”
Great interview, George. Well done!!
Glad you enjoyed the visit George. It’s like stepping into another world onboard a warship. I’ll never forget the smell. A mixture of industrial smells, Aviation fuel, mixed with food, fresh bread and general odour la bloke. And Wren. 👍
Argh! 😫😭
It pains me that I couldn’t go or that Navy Days are long gone.
During my childhood my father served in Coventry, Illustrious and Invincible, we were always on board invincible for one reason or another, dinner in the chief’s mess, touring the ship, going down to the engine room with my dad, pestering my dad to get the damage control guys to make all the lights light up on their board.
I’ve even been down to the magazine and been shown torpedoes getting serviced, sea dart getting serviced.
I’ve steared the ship, watched Harriers do their thing, I even sailed from Gibraltar to Portsmouth on her.
For a ten year old, this is pretty damn cool.
I’ve always wanted to get on board, especially a QE Class.
I practically grew up on warships.
And I saw the registration page for tickets for this and it’s so depressing I couldn’t go, but Portsmouth to Liverpool is unfeasible at the moment.
“…While one is ready to deploy for priority tasking, the other remains in routine maintenance…’
Not necessary true! Both carriers have been proved to be deployed at the same time. If one is deployed on a priority tasking, another can be deployed in near home waters with allied escorts, helicopters, and 207Squ. if necessary.