Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales has arrived in Liverpool for its first ever visit.
The second of the UK’s giant new aircraft carriers is visiting the city to demonstrate the Naval Service’s close ties with the city.
Around 13,000 people will go on board the aircraft carrier this weekend over Saturday, February 29 and Sunday, March 1.
Though the £3billion ship will be seen by thousands more as it will be docked at Liverpool Cruise Terminal for a whole week and will leave on Friday, March 6.
As this is a working Naval ship, however, there may be a need for the vessel to leave early.
While this is currently not planned, all visitors should be aware that this is always a possibility.
HMS Prince of Wales is regarded as one of the most powerful warships ever constructed in the UK.
And along with her sister ship, HMS Queen Elizabeth, they are the largest ships ever built for the Royal Navy.
The 65,000 tonne ship has a flight deck that is 70 metres wide and 280 metres long – enough space for three football pitches.
Captain Darren Houston, the Commanding Officer of HMS Prince of Wales, said: “The visit of HMS Prince of Wales to the great maritime city of Liverpool is an important step in forging enduring relationships with the city and her people.
“I am deeply humbled by the incredibly warm welcome we have received and I am delighted to allow members of the public to visit the ship – the first time this has happened for the Queen Elizabeth-class.
“The tremendous support displayed by Liverpool demonstrates the remarkable depth of feeling that people have for the ship and the Royal Navy.”
She has a ship’s company of 700 sailors, which will increase to around 1,600 with aircraft on board.
Petty Officer Joe Hornby, 36, from Kirby in Liverpool, is an aircraft engineer.
He has been in the Royal Navy for 17 years. He said: “It’s going to be such a good day and everyone is really excited to see me. My family have been asking about it and it will be so good to show them the ship.
“I joined up in the careers office in Liverpool, and it seems like a long time ago. If someone told me then I would be coming back into the city on one of the aircraft carriers, I wouldn’t have believed them.
“I can’t wait for my family to see the carrier, it is the first time they will see it and it makes it even more special that it is in Liverpool. The whole city will be so excited.”
