HMS Prince of Wales to get freedom of city honour

A Royal Navy aircraft carrier is set to receive an illustrious civic honour, as it returns to its affiliated city for the first time in four years.

HMS Prince of Wales will be given a freedom of the city award as it arrives into Liverpool for a week on 2 December.

It will be the first time in four years the ship has visited the city.

The Royal Navy's largest ship will dock on the River Mersey at the Cruise Liner Terminal to give visitors an insight into life on board the Portsmouth-based vessel.

Some 800 of its crew will also visit local schools, community projects and civic leaders while it is docked.

HMS Prince of Wales was last in Liverpool in March 2020, just before the country went into lockdown at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic.

About 20,000 people came to visit the ship in 2020, and commanding officer, captain Will Blackett is hoping for a similar welcome on its return.

He said: "It is a great privilege to bring the ship to Liverpool – a city with very special historical links to the Royal Navy – and it is a particular honour for us to receive the Freedom of the City.

"The ship’s company deserve recognition for their remarkable efforts, and this visit allows us to show you what we do."

Among the crew is sub lieutenant Yasemin Dilek, who comes from Liverpool.

She said the ship was a "home away from home" with reminders on board such as passageway signs titled, Smithdown Road, Matthew Street and Anfield.

“I believe we take a part of Liverpool everywhere we go," she said.

"I’m certain the first sight of those two Liver birds, set against our gorgeous city skyline, as we bring the ship through the River Mersey to our berth, will be a highlight which I will cherish for the rest of my career."

A freedom parade will take place on 6 December and will be the first time the sailors will have had the opportunity to celebrate being given the city’s highest civic honour.

A main passageway on the ship will also be renamed after the Beatles classic, Penny Lane, complete with a street sign donated on behalf of the city, by Lord Mayor, councillor Richard Kemp.

A ceremonial sunset demonstration supported by the Corps of Drums of His Majesty’s Royal Marines will take place during the week.

Thousands of guests are also expected to visit the ship when it opens its gangway to the public for a ticketed event on 7 and 8 December.

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