Queen launches Britain's BIGGEST ever 919ft warship named ‘Big Liz’ in her honour

A HUMUNGOUS warship, Britain's largest ever, has been launched by the Royal Navy at an extravagant ceremony today.

By Anthony Blair /

HMS Queen Elizabeth GETTY

MAMMOTH: Britain's biggest-ever warship the HMS Queen Elizabeth has been launched in Portsmouth

The HMS Queen Elizabeth, a 919ft behemoth, is being accepted into the Navy at HM Naval Base in Portsmouth.

Welsh singer Katherine Jenkins sang alongside the Royal Marine band ahead of the commissioning ceremony

The Queen, Princess Anne as well as Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson are at the harbour to witness the launching of the ship, which cost £3.1 billion.

It is the biggest and most powerful warship ever built by the UK.

HMS Queen Elizabeth: UK's biggest ever WARSHIP docks in Portsmouth for the first time

 
Crowds flock to the shoreline to see the historical sight of the Royal Navy's new flagship, the HMS Queen Elizabeth, dock for the first time at Portsmouth Naval Base
1 / 21
HMS Queen Elizabeth, the UK's newest aircraft carrier, sails past the Spinnaker Tower as she arrives in Portsmouth PA
HMS Queen Elizabeth, the UK's newest aircraft carrier, sails past the Spinnaker Tower as she arrives in Portsmouth

    Queen at Portsmouth for launch of aircraft carrier GETTY

    ROYAL WELCOME: The Queen is in Portsmouth to launch the ship

    “We should be really proud as a country. This has been a national endeavour”

    Captain Jerry Kyd

    HMS Queen Elizabeth weighs 65,000 tonnes, is over 900 feet long and over 200 feet wide, and has deck space for up to 40 aircraft.

    The aircraft carrier will have a crew of around 700 to start with, but this will go up to 1,600, including 250 troops, once its full complement of F-35B jets and Crowsnest helicopters are embarked.

    The carrier is expected to be used for high-intensity war fighting, as well as providing humanitarian aid and disaster relief.

    Ship's Captain Jerry Kyd called the ceremony a "major milestone.

    HMS Queen Elizabeth EPA

    ENORMOUS: The HMS Queen Elizabeth is 919 feet long

    HMS Queen Elizabeth in Portsmouth Naval Base ROYAL NAVY

    GIANT: HMS Queen Elizabeth shown in Portsmouth Naval Base with Spinnaker Tower in foreground

    "Building aircraft carriers is not for the fainthearted," he said.

    "There are very few countries who can do this around the world."

    He went on to say: "We should be really proud as a country. This has been a national endeavour."

    HMS Queen Elizabeth comes equipped with five gyms, a 12-bed medical ward and a chapel.

    HMS Queen Elizabeth EPA

    ARMED: The ship will have space for 40 aircrafts

    HMS Queen Elizabeth launch in Portsmouth ROYAL NAVY

    LAUNCH: HMS Queen Elizabeth in harbour at Portsmout

    Onboard the ship, First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Philip Jones heralded the new aircraft carrier.

    "We have been on a long, complicated, but committed journey to get to this point and commissioning the ship is a key milestone.

    "The point of the big grey ship is it's enormously big, flexible, capable and adaptable."

    Russia shows off warships in massive naval parade

     
    Russian warships sail on the Neva river during the Navy Day parade in St. Petersburg, Russia.
    1 / 22
    Russian warships sail during the Navy Day parade in Kronshtadt, a seaport town in the suburb of St. Petersburg REUTERS
    Russian warships sail during the Navy Day parade in Kronshtadt, a seaport town in the suburb of St. Petersburg

      The Queen at the ship's launch in Portsmouth EPA

      INSPECTION: The Queen is shown round the ship in Portsmouth

      Princess Anne GETTY

      OPENING: Princess Anne at the launch in Portsmouth

      The ship will carry up to 40 aircraft including F-35B Lightning II fighter jets, Chinook helicopters and Wildcat AH1 and HMA2 search and rescue military helicopters.

      Britain's flagship aircraft carrier is also armed with four 30mm calibre guns and three Phalanx CIWS defence systems designed to target missile attacks on the ship.

      Comments