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IN PICTURES: The Royal Navy, the Nation and the World salute Trafalgar 200 and the immortal memory of Nelson

Published Monday 24th October 2005

Trafalgar Square "The Spirit Of Nelson" [Picture: POA(Phot) Andy Gedge]

The 200th anniversary of Trafalgar Day was commemorated over the weekend, Friday 21 October to Sunday 23 October 2005. Events officially started when the signal "England expects every man to do his duty" was hoisted on HMS VICTORY, in Portsmouth Dockyard.

A Church Service aboard HMS VICTORY followed, incorporating the laying of wreaths on the quarterdeck, where Nelson fell and on the orlop deck, where he later died. In London, the First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Alan West, laid a wreath at Nelson's Tomb in the crypt of St Paul's Cathedral, at a service attended by Sea Cadets and invited guests. In the capital and across the UK, the Royal Naval White Ensign Flags flew from Public Buildings until sunset on 23 October 2005.

At 1200 hrs on the Friday, eight bells were struck on all RN warships and shore-based establishments, to commemorate the start of the battle.

Later in the day, Her Majesty The Queen, accompanied by His Royal Highness Prince Philip, arrived in Portsmouth for a reception in VICTORY's Gallery for all guests attending Trafalgar Night dinners on board HMS VICTORY and in the Royal Naval Museum. An authentic 52-gun ripple "broadside" was fired from HMS VICTORY, witnessed by dinner guests, naval families, Sea Cadets and local schoolchildren. Trafalgar Dinners were held on-board HMS VICTORY, the Naval Museum and Royal Navy ships and shore-side establishments around the country and abroad.

On Sunday 23 October 2005, a Parade, Service and wreath-laying was attended by Sea Cadets from across the country, and serving personnel from the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Royal Navy Reserves and the Royal Marines Band.

The Trafalgar Service in St Paul's Cathedral, attended by HRH Prince Philip and several members of the Royal Family, commenced at 1500 hrs and was followed in the evening by the T200 Grand Finale: "T200 - The Spirit of Nelson" in Trafalgar Square with Nelson's Column the inevitable focus point. This spectacular maritime show for members of the public included a theatrical and action packed performance with a dramatic soundtrack, celebrating 200 years of British maritime endeavour, featuring Sea Cadets, RN sailors, and marines, together with acrobatic 'free runners' plus some memorable special effects.

HMS VICTORY with all flags flying - flags read England expects everyman to do his duty [Picture: LA (Phot) Dave Griffiths]	The bi-centennial commemorative service aboard HMS VICTORY [Picture: LA(Phot) Nicola Harper]	Second Sea Lord Sir James Burnell-Nugent CBE ADE during the commemorative service aboard HMS VICTORY [Picture: LA(Phot) Nicola Harper]	First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Alan West, lays a wreath at Admiral Lord Nelson's tomb in St. Paul's Cathedral [Picture: Royal Navy]
	The bi-centennial commemorative service aboard HMS VICTORY [Picture: LA(Phot) Nicola Harper]
Rare permission has been given for public and government buildings to fly the White Ensign, normally seen flying over Royal Navy ships and shore establishments; this one will fly from the flagpole outside the Guildhall in Plymouth from 20-23 October 2005 [Picture: LA (Phot) Emily Chambers]	Members of the Cambridge University Royal Naval Unit (URNU) attended the 'Trafalgar 200 Service of Commemoration' at All Saints Church in Burnham Thorpe, the White Ensign flying at the top of the church's square tower - it being the second of only two churches permitted by the Admiralty to do so, the being St Martin-in-the-Fields in central London [Picture: Andrew Reed]	Admiral Lord Nelson atop Nelson's Column [Picture: Ian Nelson]	The White Ensign flying outside the Shell Building on Trafalgar Day 2005 [Picture: Ian Nelson]
	HMS Cornwall's Lieutenant Commander Phil Coope presenting the Royal Navy’s White Ensign Councillor Tony Dando Mayor of Fowey outside the Town Hall [Picture: Royal Navy]	First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Alan West (sporting his Blue Peter badge), meets human statue of Lord Nelson in Trafalgar Square on 20 October 2005 [Picture: POA(Phot) Gedge]	First Day Covers commemorating Trafalgar 200 [Picture: POA(Phot) Gedge]
First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Alan West, signs First Day Covers commemorating Trafalgar 200 [Picture: POA(Phot) Gedge]	Operator Mechanic Richard McGill rings eight bells on HMS ARGYLL's flight deck, 200 years on from the time the first canon was fired in the battle of Trafalgar onboard HMS VICTORY, on Trafalgar Day 2005; Bells were rung at the same time throughout the fleet onboard ships and shore establishments [Picture: LA (Phot) Emily Chambers]	A lamppost finial at Admiralty Arch, representing Nelson's Fleet shown here with a white ensign backdrop [Picture: Ian Nelson]	His Royal Highness Prince Andrew taking the Royal Salute in Trafalgar Square where Sea Cadets from around the country gathered for the bi-centenary commemorations [Picture: LA(Phot) Nicola Harper]
Her Majesty the Queen attended by the First Sea Lord, Sir Alan West met members of the Royal Navy at a reception in Portsmouth [Picture: LA(Phot) Dave Griffiths]	Leading Operator Mechanic Rick Armitage rings eight bells onboard HMS VICTORY [Picture: LA(Phot) Nicola Harper]	Her Royal Highness Princess Ann, Rear Admiral Tim Laurence, His Royal Highness Prince Michael of Kent, First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Alan West and Her Royal Highness Princess Michael of Kent outside St Paul's Cathedral following the Service of Remembrance for Lord Nelson, and all those who lost their lives at the battle of Trafalgar [Picture: POA(Phot) Gedge]	23 October 2005, Trafalgar square: First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Alan West and His Royal Highness Prince Andrew [Picture: LA(Phot) Nicola Harper]
A 52-gun ripple broadside was fired from HMS VICTORY [Picture: LA(Phot) Dave Griffiths]			Sea Cadets from around the country parade in Trafalgar Square for the bi-centenary commemorations [Picture: LA(Phot) Nicola Harper]
The Royal Marines abseil down the front of the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square [Picture: POA(Phot) Gedge]	"T200 - The Spirit of Nelson" - T200 Grand Finale [Picture: POA(Phot) Gedge]	"T200 - The Spirit of Nelson" - T200 Grand Finale [Picture: POA(Phot) Gedge]

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