Prime Minister Keir Starmer visited the Royal Navy’s flagship HMS Prince of Wales on Wednesday, 24 April 2025, ahead of its departure on the UK’s premier naval deployment of the year, Operation Highmast.
The visit took place on the ship’s expansive flight deck, where the Prime Minister was given a detailed tour by Commodore James Blackmore, Commander of the UK Carrier Strike Group (COMUKCSG), alongside Captain Will Blackett, Commanding Officer of HMS Prince of Wales.
Joining the Prime Minister were Defence Secretary John Healey, Fleet Commander Vice Admiral Andrew Burns CB OBE, and CSG Commander Air Group Captain Colin McGannity.
HMS Prince of Wales leads an eight-month mission involving a dozen allied nations, with operations spanning the Mediterranean, Middle East, and western Pacific Rim. Known as Operation Highmast, the deployment is intended to reaffirm the UK’s commitment to global security, deepen military cooperation with allies, and promote British trade and defence industry interests.
According to the Ministry of Defence, “The goal is to reaffirm the UK’s commitment to the security of the Mediterranean and Indo-Pacific region, demonstrate collective resolve with our allies and showcase British trade and industry.”
The Carrier Strike Group will involve more than 4,500 British personnel, including approximately 2,500 Royal Navy sailors and Royal Marines, 600 RAF personnel, and 900 British Army troops.
The Prime Minister’s high-profile visit underscores the government’s support for the UK’s growing strategic focus on the Indo-Pacific and the critical role of carrier-enabled power projection in maintaining security and freedom of navigation.
starmer ,’i see no ships😁!
Man overboard drills anyone?
I bet they were thrilled when he turned up.
Why did he get back off??
Wednesday was the 23rd.
Less tours and more orders of ships , R.N. is in a catastrophoc situación.
does he even know what a ship is, it might identify as a boat
I have heard from a reliable source, that normally when he visits military establishments away from any cameras, he only talks to the big wigs. I think the photo of him talking to a leading hand may have been staged.