Opera star Katherine Jenkins visits Portsmouth's Naval Base

The Welsh songstress spent a day at the home of the Senior Service, where she performed for 1,000 staff at the navy’s HQ on Whale Island before visiting sailors on HMS Iron Duke.

The best-selling artist was given a VIP tour of the Portsmouth-based Type 23 frigate, watching a combat demonstration in the operations room, and chatting with engineers in the engine control centre.

And the 36-year-old chatted with crew in the mess decks to learn about the strain that long periods away place on families and the sacrifices they make.

Ninety-six men and women – about half the ship’s company – then grouped in Iron Duke’s helicopter hangar for a quick snap with Katherine before they ran through their recent six-month stint with Nato around northern Europe.

Before departing, she thanked and praised the sailors for their unstinting efforts.

Taking to Twitter after her trip she added she’d had an ‘amazing time’ with the navy.

The visit was set up by the British Forces Foundation, a charity which aims to boost and maintain the morale of service personnel, and one of which Katherine is an ‘avid’ supporter.

‘It was a pleasure and a delight to be able to host Katherine Jenkins on-board Iron Duke,’ said the frigate’s commanding officer Commander Steve Banfield.

‘My team really enjoyed the visit and she took the time to speak to as many people as possible. Her visit will be remembered long into the future.’

Iron Duke is undergoing maintenance before returning to sea to run maritime security missions around the UK.