Summary

  • £3.1bn carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth is commissioned in Portsmouth

  • It is the largest warship ever built for the Royal Navy

  • Oxford student spared jail seeks appeal

  1. In Pictures: HMS Queen Elizabeth enters servicepublished at 13:40 Greenwich Mean Time 7 December 2017

    Here are some of the images of the day as the Royal Navy's new aircraft carrier was commissioned.

    HMS Queen ElizabethImage source, MOD
    QueenImage source, PA
    CakeImage source, AFP
    Princess AnneImage source, PA
    White EnsignImage source, MOD
  2. 'Flying proudly' over HMS Queen Elizabethpublished at 13:39 Greenwich Mean Time 7 December 2017

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  3. Admiral Sir Philip Jones: Britain 'majestic and muscular'published at 13:32 Greenwich Mean Time 7 December 2017

    Adm Sir Philip JonesImage source, PA

    Adm Sir Philip Jones, First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff, has described today's events as confirming Britain's place "among the world’s great maritime powers in the most majestic and muscular terms".

    He added: "The Queen Elizabeth-class carriers will sit at the heart of a modernised and emboldened Royal Navy, capable of projecting power and influence at sea, in the air, over the land and in cyberspace, and offering our nation military and political choice in an uncertain world.

    "But our greatest strength of all is the young sailors and marines upon whose shoulders our continued security and prosperity rests.

    "They are starting their careers as a new chapter opens for the Royal Navy - and like all those who have gone before them, they are ready to serve their Queen and Country."

    Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier, said: "Congratulations from the Royal Air Force to the Royal Navy on achieving another important milestone in the UK’s Carrier Strike capability.

    "I know the RAF and RN F-35 crews are looking forward to starting to fly from HMS Queen Elizabeth next year."

  4. Flypast welcomes new ship to naval fleetpublished at 13:29 Greenwich Mean Time 7 December 2017

    And here's another picture from the flypast which welcomed HMS Queen Elizabeth into service.

    Aircraft including two Wildcat HMA Mk2, Merlin Mk2, Sea King Mk7 and Merlin Mk3 flew overhead during the ceremony in Portsmouth.

    FlypastImage source, MOD
  5. We're NOT gonna need a bigger boatpublished at 13:18 Greenwich Mean Time 7 December 2017

    It's the one on the left.

    HMS Queen ElizabethImage source, EPA
  6. Time for cakepublished at 13:15 Greenwich Mean Time 7 December 2017

    We've been telling you all morning about a giant cake modelled on Britain's newest warship, which the Queen inspected earlier.

    It seems the edible replica of the aircraft carrier is already being devoured, with the commanding officer's wife Karen Kyd and the youngest member of the ship's company Steward Callum Hui, 17, from Lynton, Devon, doing the honours.

    CakeImage source, MOD
  7. Twitter reactspublished at 13:09 Greenwich Mean Time 7 December 2017

    And there's been more scepticism about the multi-billion-pound craft on social media.

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  8. Hear the Queen commission largest warshippublished at 12:54 Greenwich Mean Time 7 December 2017

    Media caption,

    The Queen commissions aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth

  9. Queen will 'value special link' with HMS Queen Elizabethpublished at 12:49 Greenwich Mean Time 7 December 2017

    QueenImage source, Getty Images

    Here is some more of the speech the Queen gave earlier...

    "The most powerful and capable ship ever to raise the White Ensign, she will in the years and decades ahead represent this country's resolve on the global stage.

    "At the forefront of these responsibilities will be the men and women of the Royal Navy, the Royal Marines, supported by the Army, Royal Air Force and by coalition partners.

    Quote Message

    As the daughter, wife and mother of naval officers, I recognise the unique demands our nation asks of you and I will always value my special link to HMS Queen Elizabeth, her ship's company and their families."

  10. Why doesn't HMS Queen Elizabeth have any planes?published at 12:45 Greenwich Mean Time 7 December 2017

    Media caption,

    Why doesn't the Royal Navy's new £3bn aircraft carrier have any planes?

  11. ...while the Family tweets about 'biggest warship ever'published at 12:42 Greenwich Mean Time 7 December 2017

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  12. Queen departs ceremony...published at 12:39 Greenwich Mean Time 7 December 2017

    Her Majesty has departed today's ceremony in Portsmouth.

  13. Three cheers for the Queenpublished at 12:32 Greenwich Mean Time 7 December 2017

    Ceremony

    A "Cheer Ship" has taken place - the three cheers for the Queen signal the end of the formal commissioning ceremony.

  14. HMS Queen Elizabeth: More facts and figurespublished at 12:27 Greenwich Mean Time 7 December 2017

    QueenImage source, Getty Images
    The Princess RoyalImage source, Getty Images

    At 280m long, with a lifespan of half a century and a flight deck of four acres, HMS Queen Elizabeth is Britain's largest and most powerful warship ever built.

    • The aircraft carrier weighs 65,000 tonnes and has a top speed in excess of 25 knots.
    • There are 364,000 metres of pipes inside the ship, and from keel to masthead she measures 56m - that's more than the height of Niagara Falls.
    • Facilities onboard include a chapel, a medical centre and 12-bed ward, staffed with GPs, a nurse and medical assistants, as well as a dentist and dental nurse.
    • There are five galleys on the warship. The entire ship's company of 700 can be served a meal within 90 minutes, 45 minutes when at action stations.
    Naval personnelImage source, Getty Images
    HMS Queen ElizabethImage source, Reuters
  15. Queen hails 'a true flagship for 21st century'published at 12:26 Greenwich Mean Time 7 December 2017
    Breaking

    The Queen has stood to say a few words. (For those sketchy on our past naval history, Victory was Nelson's ship).

    "We are gathered here in Portsmouth today, just a short distance from HMS Victory - a flagship of our seafaring past and a reminder to the debt we owe to the Royal Navy.

    "Like HMS Victory, HMS Queen Elizabeth embodies the best of British technology and innovation, a true flagship for the 21st century."

    Queen
  16. 'Significant chapter' for navy, says defence secretarypublished at 12:25 Greenwich Mean Time 7 December 2017

    Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said the commissioning ceremony "marks the start of a hugely significant chapter for the Royal Navy".

    He added: "It is an honour to witness the crowning moment of an extraordinarily busy year for the Royal Navy that has seen us name the second carrier, HMS Prince of Wales, cut steel on the first Type 26 frigates and launch the National Shipbuilding Strategy.

    "Our new aircraft carrier is the epitome of British design and dexterity, at the core of our efforts to build an Armed Forces fit for the future.

    "For the next half a century both carriers will advance our interests around the globe, providing the most visible symbol of intent and commitment to protect the UK from intensifying threats, wherever they may come."

    Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson
  17. Mixed response as HMS Queen Elizabeth commissionedpublished at 12:19 Greenwich Mean Time 7 December 2017

    The Royal Navy's £3.1bn aircraft carrier has its fans - while others are not so smitten.

    On some parts of Twitter it has brought pride...

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    But others are far from convinced.

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  18. It's official: Queen and Princess Royal welcome aircraft carrierpublished at 12:16 Greenwich Mean Time 7 December 2017
    Breaking

    The Queen has officially welcomed the UK's new £3.1bn aircraft carrier at a ceremony to commission it into the Royal Navy fleet.

    Accompanied by the Princess Royal, the Queen arrived on board HMS Queen Elizabeth at Portsmouth Naval Base using a specially installed lift to bring her up to the hangar for the occasion.

    Wearing a purple outfit, she was led onboard by the ship's commanding officer Captain Jerry Kyd.

    Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson also attended to witness the 65,000 tonne vessel being welcomed into the fleet.

    Queen and Pincess Royal
  19. White Ensign flown from navy's newest shippublished at 12:10 Greenwich Mean Time 7 December 2017

    White Ensign

    During the ceremony the commissioning warrant has been read and the Blue Ensign, which had been flying from HMS Queen Elizabeth until it was formally handed over to the Royal Navy, was replaced with the White Ensign.

    The Queen has also reviewed the first row of the royal guard and will say a few words as Lady Sponsor shortly.