The Last Commission:

Queen Mother's Visit

 20 September 1978

THE VISIT OF HER MAJESTY, QUEEN ELIZABETH THE QUEEN MOTHER

So it was that on Wednesday 20^th September HMS ARK ROYAL welcomed Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother who came to say farewell to her ship, Her Majesty has been associated with ARK ROYAL since she launched the ship in 1950 and has returned to ARK on many occasions.

Her Majesty, accompanied by members of her Household, arrived on board in a helicopter of the Queen’s Flight just before 1130 and spent four hours with us. During her visit, Her Majesty met officers and ratings informally, had lunch with the Captain and senior officers, watched the launch and recovery of some of our aircraft together with a mini flying display, and toured the Operations Room and Aircraft Direction Room. Then she went to the Upper Hangar where about 1000 men were assembled, giving many their first glimpse of Her Majesty. Here the Captain presented her with a memento of the occasion, and of the ship, when she was asked to accept on behalf of us all a sliver replica of the ship’s bell mounted in its wooden tabernacle. After addressing those present in a short sincere speech which brought a tear to many an eye, we gave Her Majesty three hearty cheers. So came to an end a sad but great occasion as the after lift took Her Majesty out of our midst to the helicopter waiting on the flight deck

Throughout the visit we were impressed by her warmth and her interest in everyone and everything, and her visit will be remembered with pride for many years to come. The following is a copy of the signal received by the Captain From Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother the following day.

 “I greatly enjoyed my visit to ARK ROYAL and I was thrilled by your excellent and very exciting flying display, I was deeply touched by your charming gift of a little silver replica of the ship’s bell with its beautifully constructed tabernacle, it will always remind me of a very happy day spent onboard ARK Royal.”

                                                                        Elizabeth R

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