Queen visits Navy warship at sea

HMS Invincible was among UK ships sent to the Falklands

The Queen was flown by Sea King helicopter on Tuesday to visit the crew of a Royal Navy warship off Dorset.

As she stepped on board HMS Invincible, at work off Portland, she was greeted by Captain Trevor Soar OBE.

After lunch in the Admiral's dining cabin she was due to watch a display of aircraft taking off and landing.

Portsmouth-based HMS Invincible is one of three invincible-class Navy warships and is on high alert to be deployed anywhere in the world within 48 hours.

I can't recall the last time she's visited a ship at sea Captain Trevor Soar OBE

The Queen also toured the vessel and met service personnel to hear about life at sea.

Minutes after her arrival on a blustery deck, she was taken deep into the ship's hangar, which can carry up to eight aircraft, including Sea Harriers and military helicopters.

First Lieutenant of HMS Invincible, Stewart Bankier, 43, of Faslane, Scotland, said: "I was delighted to see her.

"I think it's unusual that she's visiting a war ship at sea and that's a fantastic thing for us to be able to show off a ship out at sea doing its job.

"It's a morale boost. She is our ultimate boss really in the Armed Forces so when we get the top lady coming to visit us, it just makes it all worthwhile."

Royal Navy Aircraft Engineer Mechanic Kristina Rollason, 21, from Warwickshire, said: "It's quite surreal.

Best opportunity at sea

"We've seen her on the television and we have pictures of her, it's amazing to actually meet her."

Captain Soar, who is due to leave HMS Invincible on Friday after promotion to Rear Admiral at the Ministry of Defence, said: "I can't recall the last time she's visited a ship at sea.

"I think it will surprise her to see us as a working ship and the best opportunity to do that is at sea."

The 20,000-tonne vessel is the sixth carrier to have the Invincible name and was launched by the Queen in 1977.

Prince Andrew served on board during the Falklands conflict in 1982.