LARGE CROWDS FLOCK TO THE NORTH WIGHT TO WATCH CEREMONIAL GUN SALUTE

HMS Queen Elizabeth, one of the Royal Navy’s aircraft carriers, sailed through the Solent from Ryde yesterday evening (Tuesday) with large crowds gathering to see the spectacular sight. Positioning herself offshore from the Royal Yacht Squadron her crew lined the deck. Before at around 18:30 the RYS ceremonial cannons fired a 7-gun salute to welcome the vessel. In turn, the aircraft carrier responded with the 7-gun salute in reply. After seeing the flash of fire on board, it took four seconds for the sound to reach the shore. Following on from the final gunshot the very large crowd, one of the largest seen at Cowes Week for some years, burst into spontaneous clapping. Hundreds of people lined The Parade, around the RYS and onto the Green. On the Royal Yacht Squadron lawn, several officials from the RYS and the Navy gave three cheers to celebrate the event. Below the squadron’s platform by the cannons, the RYS Commodore, The Hon. James Holman, reciprocated the gesture with the assembled large crowd of the public joining in.