The commemoration will include a Royal visit by Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal. Princess Anne will attend several events and receptions throughout her stay and Her itinerary will include an opportunity to meet members of HMS St Albans ship’s company.

The ship was fortunate enough to pay a most enjoyable visit to Malta on return passage from a deployment earlier this year. The ship was part of the UK led Task Force 150, joining French, Spanish, German, Italian and US Naval forces to contribute to Operation Enduring Freedom in the Gulf areas and Horn of Africa. One of the key responsibilities was to check or board ships transiting though their assigned areas. Boarding teams consist of members of the ship’s company and Royal Marines, either embarking vessels from their helicopter or using sea boats with enhanced communications packages. Merchant shipping from large container ships to small dhows have been either stopped or boarded to inspect cargoes, manifests and registration. The common goal for coalition partners is the denial of the sea to terrorist organisations. In addition to supporting the primary roles of TF150, HMS St Albans, as the UK contribution to this coalition, was also tasked to provide Force Protection to high value units and transiting merchant vessels, to protect sea lanes of communication and to carry out interdiction duties as required by TF150.

The visit to Malta in April was a great success and thoroughly enjoyed by all onboard. Many sailors commented on the warmth and friendship experienced on meeting the Maltese people when out and about on the island.

Since returning to Portsmouth in May, the ship has undergone an extensive period of maintenance and upper deck preservation, with many systems being overhauled after almost seven months away.

This was followed by a visit to London and The City of St Albans where the ship was able to cement the strong affiliations with associations and organisations around the area.

The visit also allowed the ship’s company to accept the Freedom of the City which involved a ceremonial march-past and a banquet hosted by the mayor and other local dignitaries.