HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH Freedom of Edinburgh – by Court Assistant Mr Duncan Cunningham
On Friday 18th September I had the honour to represent the Prime Warden, Mr Andreas Bisbas, and the Shipwrights’ Company at the ceremony in Edinburgh to mark our affiliated ship HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH receiving the Freedom the City.
Two hundred and fifty sailors from the aircraft carrier were there at the invitation of Edinburgh’s Lord Provost, Councillor Robert Aldridge, who was joined by city officers and guests.
Accompanied by The Band of His Majesty’s Royal Marines Scotland, the sailors began the parade outside the Palace of Holyrood, marching past the Scottish Parliament building and up the Royal Mile to Edinburgh’s City Chambers.
There the Guard of Honour, led by Lieutenant Commander Julian Caithness, was inspected by the Lord Provost, escorted by HMS Queen Elizabeth’s Commanding Officer Captain Claire Thompson OBE. At the same time various sections of the ships company were also inspected by yours truly and the representatives of the other affiliated Liveries, the Grocers’ and Lightmongers’ Companies.
During the event there was also a spectacular fly-past by an F-35 Lightning stealth fighter – the same aircraft which deploys from HMS Queen Elizabeth.
Following the Parade, we adjourned to the City Chambers for a light lunch with members of the Ships Company.
