The Queen bids farewell as Ark Royal faces scrapheap

The Queen said farewell yesterday to the Royal Navy flagship HMS Ark Royal.

The aircraft carrier, which is in its 25th year, is to be taken out of service imminently in the wake of the defence review cuts announced last month.

The decision, along with the early retirement of the Harrier jets, will leave the navy without the capability of launching fixed-wing aircraft from a carrier until replacement ships and aircraft come into service in up to 10 years' time.

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The Queen, who travelled down to Portsmouth on a standard passenger train from London Waterloo, was met by the ship's commanding officer Capt Jerry Kyd at Portsmouth Naval Base in front of a gathering of the ship's company and their families.

She then took a Royal salute, inspected a guard of honour and attended a service of commemoration before going on board.

Capt Kyd said: "This event, the 25th anniversary, has been planned for many, many months to celebrate 25 years of loyal service to Queen and country.

"Following the recent announcement that Ark Royal is sadly going to be paid off three years early this event has taken on an added poignancy and we are blessed the Queen is coming."

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farewell: The Queen goes on board the aircraft carrier Ark Royal for the last time yesterday before the ship is taken out of service after the defence review. picture: Chris Ison/PA Wire

Salute: The Queen inspects an Ark Royal guard of honour during yesterday's ceremony, accompanied by Capt Jeremy Kyd.