THE Royal Navy’s biggest ship is set to return to Liverpool as part of a week-long visit.

Aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales will spend seven days on the Mersey, allowing her 800 crew to engage with local schools, community projects and civic leaders – and give the public an insight into life aboard the Portsmouth-based warship as she gears up for a global deployment.

The HMS Prince of Wales is due to arrive in the Mersey on Monday December 2 and will leave on Monday December 9.

It’s the first time since March 2020 that the ship’s schedule has allowed her to visit Merseyside.

That maiden appearance drew hundreds of thousands of people to the city – with around 20,000 members of the public enjoying a tour of the carrier.

Commanding Officer Captain Will Blackett said: “It is a great privilege to bring the ship to Liverpool – a city with very special historical links to the Royal Navy – and it is a particular honour for us to receive the Freedom of the City this week.

“This is the culmination of a very busy autumn training programme.

“The ship’s company deserve recognition for their remarkable efforts, and this visit allows us to show you what we do.”

Among the 800-strong ship’s company – whose duties range from engineers through chefs, gunners, and warfare specialists to the men and women who safely direct air operations on and off the sprawling flight deck and sailors who guide the 932ft ship safely through the oceans – are some from Merseyside for whom the visit is particularly special.

For junior marine engineering officer Sub Lieutenant Yasemin Dilek, the fact that the aircraft carrier is affiliated with her city makes HMS Prince of Wales a ‘home away from away’, with reminders throughout the ship such as passageway signs: Smithdown Road, Matthew Street and Anfield.

“I believe we take a part of Liverpool everywhere we go. You never really detach from it – it’s always home and we love to share our experiences and stories about our special place with everyone we meet - it’s even better when these feelings are reciprocated with the kind words and opinions others share for our amazing city,” she added.

“No matter where you are in the world, the chances are you’ll bump into a Scouser and that warm fuzzy feeling of home and pride takes over. This is why I am incredibly excited about the Ship’s upcoming trip to Liverpool, and I’m certain that the first sight of those two Liver birds, set against our gorgeous city skyline, as we bring the ship through the River Mersey to our berth, will be a highlight which I will cherish for the rest of my career.”