Hundreds of military personnel will march through Bristol this weekend in honour of the Royal Navy’s latest and largest warship being granted the Freedom of the City. A parade of nearly 300 sailors and Royal Marines will see the closure of many roads in Bristol city centre on Saturday, June 10, in celebration of a future 50-year link between Bristol and HMS Prince of Wales.
The honour of the Freedom of the City, when conferred on a military unit, grants that unit the privilege of marching into the city "with drums beating, colours flying, and bayonets fixed”. The City and County of Bristol has been affiliated with HMS Prince of Wales since 2016, an honour shared with Liverpool, a relationship that will last for 50 years.
Last month, Lord Mayor of Bristol, Councillor Paul Goggin, said: “It was an honour for Bristol to grant the Ship’s Company the Freedom of the City. I am delighted to celebrate the close bond Bristol has with the HMS Prince of Wales, and people across the city look forward to strengthening our ties with them."
