Her Majesty the Queen, in company with Commodore Tom Cunningham RN, inspects the Royal Gaurd of Honour onboard HMS Illustrious
[Picture: LA (Phot) Darby Allen]
During a port visit to Istanbul, HMS Illustrious was given the privilege of hosting Her Majesty The Queen's Reception for the President of Turkey, President Abdullah Gul, along with over 350 other distinguished guests. The event was marked with an inspection of the Ship's Royal Guard and a Ceremonial Sunset with music from the embarked Royal Marines Band.
The Commanding Officer of HMS Illustrious, Captain Steve Chick CBE RN, said:
"The Royal Reception was a great success and a privilege for HMS Illustrious to host. The event highlights the importance, breadth and depth of the relationship which exists between the UK and Turkey."
Illustrious is currently in the Mediterranean on her way home after a deployment of more than four months to the Indian Ocean. The ORION 08 deployment involved a multi-national maritime Task Group centred on the Royal Navy strike aircraft carrier and with more than 2,500 personnel, 13 ships, a nuclear powered submarine, Harrier jump jets and Merlin and Lynx helicopters.
The French, Spanish and US Navies all contributed ships and aircraft to the group, which were under the Operational Control of the Royal Navy. During its deployment the Task Group has visited ports in the Mediterranean, Africa, Middle East, South Asia and the Far East. The taskforce is commanded by the Royal Navy's Commodore Tom Cunningham.