Latest News

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

Published Thursday 20th October 2005

Preparing for Trafalgar Day on HMS Victory in 2004 - LOM Lorna Dow pictured in authentic 1805 uniform [Picture: Pete Langdown]

HMS Victory [Picture: Royal Navy]

Preparing for the International Fleet Review in the Solent on 28 June 2005 [Picture: LA(Phot) Ray Jones]

The Right Reverend Kenneth Stevenson, Bishop of Portsmouth, leading the act of worship during the International Drumhead Ceremony, Southsea Common, 29 June 2005. [Phot: PO(Phot) Steve Lewis]

The firework display at the end of the International Fleet Review, part of Trafalgar 200 [Picture: Royal Navy]

HM the Queen and Prince Philip reviewing the Fleet from on board HMS Endurance, International Fleet Review, 28 June 2005 [Picture: Royal Navy]

Japanese destroyer Yuugiri at the International Fleet Review, 28 June 2005 [Picture: Royal Navy]

Arrival of HM The Queen at Burnaby Road Portsmouth to celebrate T200 and the Fleet Review [Picture: PO(Phot) Dee Morgan]

HMS Ocean at the foreground at anchor in the Solent with international warships in the background. [Picture: (LA Phots) Barlow + Bagshaw]

Wreath laid on HMS Victory to mark the anniversary of the battle of Trafalgar in 2004 [Picture: Royal Navy]

Friday 21 October, Trafalgar Day 2005, and the Royal Navy awaits the raising of Admiral Lord Nelson's "England Expects" signal on HMS VICTORY to mark the beginning of a weekend of remarkable Trafalgar Bicentennial events across the country and the world.

Following a traditional memorial service on board the historic flagship in Portsmouth at 0845 hrs, wreaths will be laid on the quarterdeck where Nelson fell and on the Orlop deck where the revered Naval hero later died. Across the capital and the country, the White Ensign will be raised for the first time, flying from public buildings and flagpoles, while Royal Navy warships will be dressed overall with signal flags.

Eight bells will be struck at noon on warships around the world and Royal Navy shore-based establishments to mark the start of the battle 200 years ago. First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Alan West GCB DSC ADC will lay a wreath at Nelson's tomb in St. Paul's Cathedral before travelling to Portsmouth to take part in a number of significant and unique events focusing around Portsmouth Dockyard and HMS VICTORY.

In Cadiz, Spain, frigate HMS Chatham is representing the Royal Navy at the invitation of the Spanish, to provide a guard escort and take part in commemorative religious services and military parade, with wreath laying at the Spanish Naval Mausoleum and in central Cadiz. The ship will then sail in company with Spanish aircraft carrier Principe De Asturias, her frigate escort Reina Sofia together with the French frigate Montcalm towards Cape Trafalgar, where they will honour all those who lost their lives in the 1805 Battle of Trafalgar in a service at sea.

As the sun sets over Portsmouth harbour, Her Majesty The Queen, accompanied by The Duke of Edinburgh will light the Trafalgar Weekend National Beacon, beside HMS VICTORY, witness a special Beat Retreat by the Band of HM Royal Marines and the firing of an authentic 52-gun ripple "broadside" from HMS VICTORY. This will mark the start of Trafalgar Night dinners and parties across the land and around the World - hosted not just by former and serving naval personnel but also by thousands of others with a maritime connection.

The action in Portsmouth will be covered live on BBC2 from 1830 to 1930 hrs in "Nelson's Glorious Victory". For the first time, Her Majesty The Queen's short speech and "Immortal Memory" toast to Admiral Nelson is planned to be broadcast live to the nation whilst dining with the Navy Board in Lord Nelson's Great Cabin in HMS VICTORY. Among the guests dining with The Queen will be the most Senior Commanding Officer serving afloat, Captain Tony Johnston-Birt (HMS OCEAN) and one of the most junior, Lieutenant Trish Kohn (HMS TRACKER).

On Sunday 23 October 2005 Royal Navy T200 events will focus on Trafalgar Square and London. 'The Trafalgar Parade' in Trafalgar Square from 1100 hrs will see the Sea Cadets joined in their annual parade by Royal Navy and Reservist personnel together with the Band of HM Royal Marines Portsmouth.

HRH the Duke of York, Admiral of the Sea Cadet Corps, will be the Inspecting Officer and lead the laying of wreaths at Nelson's Column. A "Trafalgar Service" in St Paul's Cathedral at 3pm will be attended by Their Royal Highnesses the Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales accompanied by The Duchess of Cornwall, The Duke of York, The Princess Royal and Prince and Princess Michael of Kent.

Afterwards, The Lord Mayor of London will hold a reception in the Guildhall, attended by HRH The Princess Royal.

In a fitting grand finale "T200 - The Spirit of Nelson", a major maritime theatrical show and presentation starts in Trafalgar Square from 1830 hrs. In the presence of Their Royal Highnesses The Duke of Edinburgh and Prince Michael of Kent, a public audience of 10,000 will witness the culminating spectacular event of the Royal Navy's Trafalgar 200 programme.

The audience will enjoy an exciting and dynamic show that celebrates 200 years of British maritime endeavour and a look ahead to an exciting naval future. Incorporating Sea Cadets, school children, Royal Naval and Royal Marines personnel, there will be daring physical performance, including acrobatic 'free runners', special sound and light effects.

Victory at Trafalgar will end the show, with Nelson's Column spectacularly illuminated.

BBC2 will present a highlights programme of the year from Trafalgar Square from 2000 to 2100 hrs - "Trafalgar200: Nelson's Legend and Legacy". The detailed programme of events for the weekend is below.

For details of all the Trafalgar 200 events visit www.trafalgar200.com

For broader maritime events, many of them supported by the Royal Navy, during 2005 visit www.seabritain2005.co.uk

Friday 21 October 2005

Trafalgar Day at HMS VICTORY

From 0600 - TV and radio coverage from HMS VICTORY
0800 - Colours and Nelson's "England Expects" signal hoisted in HMS VICTORY.
0845 - 2SL Church Service onboard HMS VICTORY incorporating the laying of wreaths on quarterdeck, where Nelson fell and on the orlop deck, where he later died. (TV and radio coverage).

1000 - 1200 Special, free access, limited opening of HMS VICTORY to 821 members of the General Public, who will each receive a commemorative certificate.

1000 - 1530 Portsmouth Historic Dockyard open to general public at reduced cost (not all areas open).

1200 Eight Bells struck on all RN warships and shore-based establishments to mark the start of the battle.

1420 First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Alan West formally opens Trafalgar Gate at HMNB Portsmouth

1500 Presentation of the Wedgwood Trafalgar Vase to The First Sea Lord by Lord Wedgwood in HM Naval Base Portsmouth Victory Arena.

1600 Royal Marine Brass quintet plays "Eternal Father" at the time of Nelson's death. (TV and radio coverage)

1800 HM The Queen, accompanied by HRH Prince Philip, arrives at a reception in the VICTORY Gallery for all guests attending Trafalgar Night dinners on board HMS VICTORY and in the Royal Naval Museum.

1845 National Beacon lit by HM The Queen beside HMS VICTORY setting off chain of beacons nationwide. Beat Retreat by The Band of HM Royal Marines, an authentic 52-gun ripple "broadside" will be fired from HMS Victory, witnessed by dinner guests, naval families, Sea Cadets and local schoolchildren. Live TV coverage of the event will be broadcast.

1945 Trafalgar Dinners on board HMS VICTORY, the Naval Museum and Royal Navy ships and shore side establishments around the country and abroad.

2005 - 2015 First Sea Lord speech and HM The Queen toast to the Immortal Memory planned to be broadcast live on BBC News 24 and Sky and later available on Sky, BBC and Royal Navy websites.

2300 News media coverage throughout the night.

Trafalgar Day in London

Sunrise - RN White Ensign Flags Fly from Public Buildings across London and UK until sunset on 23 October 2005.

1100 - Wreath-laying by First Sea Lord at Nelson's Tomb in the crypt of St Paul's Cathedral. Attended by Sea Cadets and 35 invited guests.
On completion, members of the public will be allowed to lay wreaths.

Trafalgar Day Cadiz, Spain (All times local)

0945 - Spanish led wreath laying and Commemoration Service at Spanish Naval Mausoleum, San Fernando with UK Royal Navy, Spanish and French Navy representation.

1145 - Military Parade, marchpast and wreath laying in Central Cadiz at Parque Genoves led by Spanish Military and presided by Spanish Minister of Defence. HMA Spain, Admiral Stanhope will lay a wreath and a small RN guard from HMS CHATHAM will take part in the Parade. Related descendants of Spanish/French and UK sailors present to witness events along with 18th Century costumed re-enactors.

1200 - 1300 Flotilla of private yachts, including UKSA's Gypsy Moth IV and Oyster owners, lay wreaths off Cape Trafalgar.

1600-sunset Official mourning declared in Cadiz.

1600 SNS PRINCIPE DE ASTURIAS, (aircraft carrier) SPS REINA SOFIA (frigate escort), HMS CHATHAM (UK Type 22 frigate escort) and FS MONTCALM (French frigate escort) sail for Cape Trafalgar.

1700 - Wreath laying off Cape Trafalgar.

1900 - Ships return alongside in Cadiz

Sunday 23 October 2005

London - with the focus on Trafalgar Square

1100 - 1245 The Trafalgar Parade, Service and wreath laying - Sea Cadets, Royal Navy, Royal Marines and Royal Navy Reserves accompanied by Royal Marines Band.

1500-1600 The Trafalgar Service in St Paul's Cathedral for 2400 invited guests.

1830-2000 "T200 - The Spirit of Nelson" - Trafalgar Square and Nelson's Column are the inevitable focus point for the T200 Grand Finale - a spectacular maritime show for up to 10,000 members of the public. A theatrical, action packed performance with 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.

Related articles:

Recent coverage on the Royal Navy's Website:

Related links:

The Ministry of Defence is not responsible for the content or availability of external internet sites.