UK helps celebrate Australian Navy's Centenary
HMS Daring part of International Fleet Review celebrations
HMS Daring
5-6 October 2013 was a very big weekend for the city of Sydney and the Royal Australian Navy, and the UK has been highly involved in the celebrations.
His Royal Highness Prince Henry of Wales joined Her Excellency, the Honourable Quentin Bryce, AC, CVO, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia onboard HMAS Leeuwin for the official inspection of the ships.
The Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines played for the crowds on the Sydney Opera House forecourt, showcasing its acclaimed musical versatility and precision marching. Performing military classics to jazz and big band favourites, music from the big screen and superb solo items, the Royal Marines engaged the crowds while a ceremonial fly-past roared in the air above them and included the UK’s very own Lynx helicopter from HMS Daring.
Sydney Harbour was transformed into a tribute to the Royal Australian Navy on Saturday night as the city stopped to commemorate 100 years since the first Royal Australian Navy Fleet sailed through Sydney Heads in 1913.
A huge fireworks and light show lit up the Harbour, the biggest fireworks display ever in Sydney, as over a million people viewed the incredible show from the shores.
HMS Daring was open to the crowds over the weekend and thousands of excited visitors, young and old, walked the gangway to see the UK ship.
View images of the from the International Fleet Review in our Flickr gallery