A flag from one of the biggest ships in the Royal Navy is to hang permanently in Bristol Cathedral. A special ceremony is to be held to mark the links between the aircraft carrier HMS PRINCE OF WALES and the maritime city of Bristol.

Crew members from the ship will parade the flag into the Cathedral, accompanied by a Royal Marine Corps of Drums, on Sunday December 12 at 3.30 pm as part of the historic Evensong service.

The flag will then be blessed and will hang permanently in the Cathedral marking the affiliation between the City and the vessel as it patrols the world as a national strategic defence asset, which can also deploy disaster relief.

Military flags “laid up” in this way are permanently displayed and buried in consecrated ground if they disintegrate over time.

The blessing of the White Ensign, which traditionally flies on Royal Navy ships, will be the ceremonial highlight of a weekend visit to their home port by the Commanding Officer of HMS PRINCE OF WALES Captain Steve Higham and around 30 of the crew.

Anyone wishing to attend the ceremony can secure a place at Bristol Cathedral through its website: https://bristol-cathedral.co.uk/whats-on/white-ensign

HMS PRINCE OF WALES is one of the Royal Navy’s fifth generation aircraft carriers, one of the most powerful surface warships ever constructed in the UK and has a projected lifespan of 50 years. In 2022 she will lead the NATO carrier strike force in the North Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea.

Her flight deck is 70 metres wide and 280 metres long – enough space for three football pitches – and she can hold 45 days’ worth of food in stores. She has a minimum crew of around 700, increasing to around 1,600 with aircraft onboard.

Because of her size she is unable to come into the centre of Bristol but she is officially affiliated with both Bristol and Liverpool.

During a weekend visit to Bristol the Captain and crew will be meeting Bristol business and civic leaders, including a formal meal on board SS Great Britain and crew members will be taking part in gig races with Bristol Gig Club on Bristol’s Floating Harbour.

Further information: https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/our-organisation/the-fighting-arms/surface-fleet/aircraft-carriers/hms-prince-of-wales