HMS Queen Elizabeth: Gosport dad and son serving on Royal Navy flagship meet the Queen

A FATHER and son serving together on HMS Queen Elizabeth have said the Queen was curious about how they got on when they met her during her visit to the Royal Navy flagship.
By Ben Fishwick
Published 22nd May 2021, 15:21 BST
Updated 22nd May 2021, 15:33 BST
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Engineering Technician Marine Engineering (ETME) Morgan Brookes and his father, Chief Petty Officer Paul Brookes, both work in the same department ensuring the smooth running of the £3 billion warship.

The father and son, from Gosport, Hampshire, both said they were thrilled to meet the Queen as she visited the carrier at Portsmouth Naval Base.

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Morgan, 20, who has been in the navy for two years, said: ‘It was quite incredible, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, she is just an amazing woman.’

Members of the crew, Morgan (left) and his father, Paul Brookes, after Queen Elizabeth II visited HMS Queen Elizabeth at HM Naval Base, Portsmouth, ahead of the ship's maiden deployment. The visit comes as HMS Queen Elizabeth prepares to lead the UK Carrier Strike Group on a 28-week operational deployment travelling over 26,000 nautical miles from the Mediterranean to the Philippine Sea. Picture: Steve Parsons/PA WireMembers of the crew, Morgan (left) and his father, Paul Brookes, after Queen Elizabeth II visited HMS Queen Elizabeth at HM Naval Base, Portsmouth, ahead of the ship's maiden deployment. The visit comes as HMS Queen Elizabeth prepares to lead the UK Carrier Strike Group on a 28-week operational deployment travelling over 26,000 nautical miles from the Mediterranean to the Philippine Sea. Picture: Steve Parsons/PA Wire
Members of the crew, Morgan (left) and his father, Paul Brookes, after Queen Elizabeth II visited HMS Queen Elizabeth at HM Naval Base, Portsmouth, ahead of the ship's maiden deployment. The visit comes as HMS Queen Elizabeth prepares to lead the UK Carrier Strike Group on a 28-week operational deployment travelling over 26,000 nautical miles from the Mediterranean to the Philippine Sea. Picture: Steve Parsons/PA Wire

Paul, originally from West Bromwich, and who has been in the navy for 23 years, said: ‘She said how lovely it was that we were working together and she had quite a cheeky smile as she asked us about it.’

He added: ‘We have a good relationship and I am very proud of Morgan.

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‘I was a bit concerned when I heard he was joining the ship as I didn’t want his experience to be reduced by me being on the ship, but I don’t think it has.’

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As reported, Petty Officer Matthew Ready, 38, from Gosport was presented with a medal for 15 years long service and good conduct by the Queen during the visit.

He said: ‘It was an incredible honour for me and my family.’

He said that the Queen remembered sailing past his previous ship, HMS Illustrious, in the royal yacht in Istanbul in 2008, at the moment the carrier was at risk of losing a Merlin helicopter overboard.

The father-of-two said: ‘She asked if I had anything to do with it and I answered that I didn’t, and if I had I wouldn’t be getting my medal.’

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Related topics:QueenPaul BrookesHMS Queen Elizabeth