It was a privilege to visit aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth, the flagship of the Royal Navy, in Portsmouth today, as part of the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme. The scale and capability of the carrier are awe-inspiring: the flight deck measures four acres, the power plant could supply enough electricity for a small town, and despite weighing 65,000 tonnes, the ship's top speed is 28 knots. But a ship is nothing without her crew, and HMS Queen Elizabeth's company are amazing - as anyone who's watched the BBC series "Warship" will have seen. The skill and commitment of her crew are exceptional. It was good to have the opportunity to speak to people in different ranks and roles - from new arrivals straight out of training to the ship's captain. Wherever she goes, HMS Queen Elizabeth projects power & strength, reassurance and defiance. 
