The Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations are to be launched in dramatic fashion today by Royal Navy warship HMS Diamond, which will fire a 21-gun salute as it sails into port for a street party on its flight deck.
The arrival of the Type 45 destroyer at Portsmouth Naval Base will be accompanied by a diamond formation flypast of four Navy helicopters, two Merlin and two Lynx.
And as the warship fires its salvo, the Navy saluting gun overlooking the harbour entrance at Fort Blockhouse, Gosport, Hampshire, will fire 21 times in return.
Once the ship is berthed in the naval base the celebrations will continue with a street party on the ship's flight deck for the 190 crew and guests.
The event will see the launch of a cocktail created for the Navy by the celebrated Dukes Hotel in London's Mayfair, called Dukes Royal Navy Jubilee.
HMS Diamond's commanding officer Commander Ian Clarke said: "It will be a real honour for HMS Diamond to salute Her Majesty on Friday, signalling the start of Diamond Jubilee celebrations that weekend.
"By happy coincidence, 2012 is an important year for HMS Diamond as we sail for our maiden operational deployment in a couple of weeks' time."
Cdr Clarke added: "It will be fun to bring together the ship's company with representatives from our two affiliated cities of Aberdeen and Coventry for a street party on the flight deck - how else would we celebrate the Diamond Jubilee than with a rum-based cocktail, specially commissioned by Dukes Hotel."
Petty Officer Dickie Davies, one of the lead organisers of the ceremonial entry, said: "Being a staunch royalist I am honoured at having a key part to play in the ship's entry to Portsmouth.
"I will be responsible for the training and the execution of the ceremonial drill on the upper deck.
"It will be a proud day for all servicemen involved and being on HMS Diamond will be the icing on the cake."
