A massive navy ship called HMS Albion has moored up in Greenwich for a rare visit to London, exciting residents as it passed by the Thames Barrier and the O2.
The amphibious assault ship has made the trip from Plymouth to host a number of headline events in support of International Shipping Week, and its commanding officer said they were "thrilled" to be able to make the rare journey.
The 18,500-tonne vessel, which is based in Plymouth, is the only Royal Navy capital ship that can make the transit upstream along the Thames.
A time-lapse video shows the massive ship travelling along the River Thames into Greenwich where it will dock up for most of the week.
The boat has today conducted ceremonial duties at the Tower of London, including the Constable's Dues today (September 13).
Tradition says that whenever a Royal Naval vessel moors on the Wharf, the Captain must present the Constable with a barrel of wine (the ‘Dues’).
This is ceremoniously escorted into the Tower by the Yeoman Warders and presented to the Constable on Tower Green.
Today, the levy takes the form of a barrel of wine presented by the ships Commanding Officer.
The Ceremony of the Constable's Dues originated in the 14th Century when Richard II decreed any large naval vessel travelling up the River Thames must pay a levy to the Constable of the Tower of London.
The Royal Navy said that grom her prime position on the Thames, and set against the backdrop of Greenwich and the O2, HMS Albion will host a number of London International Shipping Week headline events, demonstrating that the UK is open for business and committed to the future of the maritime sector.
Captain Simon Kelly, Commanding Officer of HMS Albion, said: "My team are looking forward to this visit and are very excited about performing the 'Ceremony of the Dues' at the Tower of London.
"As a sailor, marching a keg of wine to the Tower of London to pay our 'Dues' is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity – I am thrilled that we have this rare privilege."
He added: "I am delighted to have had the opportunity to bring Albion to our nation’s great maritime based capital city and support London’s International Shipping Week.
"The UK maritime sector contributes £46.1bn to the UK economy and supports over one million jobs. It is responsible for keeping the country supplied with 95% of British imports and exports moving by sea, including 48% of our food supplies."
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