Ship's company of HMS Prince of Wales march through Bristol

The event is to mark the Royal Navy's latest warship receiving Freedom of the City

Author: Oliver MorganPublished 10th Jun 2023

Hundreds of servicemen and women will be marching through Bristol today.

It's because the Royal Navy's latest, and largest warship has now been granted freedom of the city.

A parade led by the Royal Marines Band march through the city centre from 2pm, with a number of road closures in place all day.

The ship and its crew were awarded the Freedom of the City back in March during a ceremony held at City Hall, with the hnour, when conferred on a military unit, granting that unit the privilege of marching into the city "with drums beating, colours flying, and bayonets fixed”.

Road closures in place between 6am and 6pm

A number of road closures will be in place ahead of the event, including:

  • College St – entire length
  • Deanery Road from its junction with St George’s Rd to its closed end

Road closures in place between 2pm and 3pm

  • Deanery Rd – From its junction with St George’s Rd to its junction with Jacob’s Wells Roundabout
  • Jacob’s Wells Roundabout (eastern side) - from its junction with Jacob’s Wells Road to its junction with Anchor Rd
  • Anchor Road – Entire length
  • Canons Road – From its junction with Anchor Road to its junction with College Green
  • Broad Quay – Entire length
  • Baldwin Street – From its junction with Marsh St to its junction with St Augustine's Parade
  • St Augustine’s Parade – Entire Length
  • Colston Avenue – Entire length
  • College Green – Entire Length
  • Rupert St – From its junction with Colston Avenue to its junction with St John’s Bridge
  • Lewins Mead – From its junction with Colston Avenue to its junction with St John’s Bridge
  • Park Street – From its junction with College Green to its junction with Queens Road

The City and County of Bristol has been affiliated with HMS Prince of Wales (PWLS) since 2016, an honour shared with Liverpool.

The relationship is one which will last for 50 years, and was re-affirmed by the council at a ceremony in Bristol City Hall back on March 14, 2023 - where the Freedom of the City was accepted by Captain Richard Hewitt OBE, on behalf of the Royal Navy and the ship’s company.

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