HMS PRINCE OF WALES to sail through Bristol

To mark the unique affiliation between ship and city, 12 sailors from HMS PRINCE OF WALES will break their Charity Bike Ride from Rosyth to Portsmouth at Bristol Cathedral this week.

HM Lord-Lieutenant for Bristol Mrs Peaches Golding OBE, Lord Mayor Cllr Jos Clark and the Dean of Bristol, will be among those present to receive the sailors.
Peaches Golding said: “The visit of the sailors during their 500 mile, 5-day Charity Bike Ride demonstrates the growing strength of the affiliation between HMS PRINCE OF WALES and the City of Bristol. Over the next 50 years, members of her crew will visit the city’s schools, sports events and businesses to cement this latest maritime honour.”

HMS PRINCE OF WALES is the new aircraft carrier affiliated with the City. Her role involves diplomatic uses, disaster relief, the projection of power and military purposes. The affiliation, like the lifespan of HMS PRINCE OF WALES, is 50 years long.

The last trials are taking place in Rosyth where she was assembled and before she leaves for sea trials later this year.  She will dock at Portsmouth, her home port, when she returns to UK waters.

They were the first sailors to glimpse their ship’s White Ensign since its blessing by The Very Rev’d Dr David Hoyle, the Dean of Bristol on 6 April this year.  The White Ensign now displayed in the Bristol Cathedral will leave the City briefly around mid-July and fly aboard HMS PRINCE OF WALES during her sea trials.  Early 2020 at a service in the Bristol Cathedral, the standard will be laid up and permanently on display.