The Royal Navy’s largest ship, HMS Prince of Wales, is heading to Liverpool for a week-long visit, marking her first stay in the city since March 2020.
The aircraft carrier’s seven-day visit will include community engagement, public tours, and a Freedom of the City parade, according to a press release.
Entry is by ticket only and you must apply in advance by clicking here.
The Portsmouth-based warship, affiliated with Liverpool, will dock at the Cruise Liner Terminal on Monday, December 2, following training exercises in UK waters. The visit offers the ship’s 800-strong crew, including local sailors, the chance to connect with the community and highlight their contributions to the Royal Navy.
Commanding Officer Captain Will Blackett expressed pride in bringing the carrier back to Liverpool, a city with deep historical ties to the Royal Navy. He noted that the visit is a culmination of rigorous autumn training, providing an opportunity for the crew to showcase their work. “The ship’s company deserve recognition for their remarkable efforts, and this visit allows us to show you what we do,” he stated.
Among the crew is Sub Lieutenant Yasemin Dilek, a junior marine engineering officer from Liverpool, who described the carrier as her “home away from home.” She highlighted the ship’s connection to the city through its Liverpool-themed passageway names, adding, “The first sight of those two Liver birds, set against our gorgeous city skyline, will be a highlight I will cherish for the rest of my career.”
During the visit, the ship will host public tours on December 7 and 8, welcoming 10,000 guests each day. Tickets are required and can be obtained in advance. Visitors will experience a glimpse of life aboard the 932-foot warship, which serves as a floating symbol of British maritime strength and innovation.
A central event will be the Freedom Parade on December 6, celebrating HMS Prince of Wales’ status as a recipient of Liverpool’s highest civic honour. The ship will also honour its ties with the city by renaming a passageway after Penny Lane, complete with a street sign donated by the Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Councillor Richard Kemp.
Cllr Kemp expressed the city’s pride in the affiliation, saying, “We are absolutely delighted to be welcoming HMS Prince of Wales back to Liverpool. I know many local people will be keen to go on board to have a look around and learn more about the important work of HMS Prince of Wales in keeping our nation safe.”
The carrier will depart Liverpool on December 9, with family members of the crew joining the journey back to Portsmouth to experience life at sea.
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They don’t do this in its home port of Portstmouth!