Princess Anne launched HMS Albion in March 2001

A special ceremony took place at Devonport Naval Base in Plymouth where Princess Anne formally commissioned the assault ship, HMS Albion.

About 1,200 guests attended the commissioning, with a guard of honour from the ship's company and the Band of Her Majesty's Royal Marines Plymouth.

Princess Anne launched HMS Albion in March 2001.

A short service of dedication was conducted by three Royal Navy chaplains and afterwards the youngest member of the ship's company and the commanding officer's wife cut the commissioning cake.

The vessel arrived in Devonport in April and since then has been on sea trials and in training to prepare for operational deployment later this year.

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The 176-metre long vessel is one of the most sophisticated warships of its type.

The 18,500-tonne vessel can carry 700 Royal Marine Commandos and was built in four years in Barrow-in-Furness by BAE Systems.

Her sister ship, HMS Bulwark, is still under construction at Barrow, for delivery late next year.

HMS Albion is 50% larger than the assault ships which have been replaced and recently left service, HMS Fearless and Intrepid.

She will be able to carry up to 60 vehicles, ranging from trucks to battle tanks, and eight new landing craft.

She will be based in Plymouth along with the Navy's other frontline amphibious warfare vessels, including the helicopter carrier HMS Ocean, and, when she enters service, HMS Bulwark.