The close links between the Sovereign, the Royal Navy and the safety of the nation were highlighted by the Queen as she presented a new Colour to the Fleet in Plymouth yesterday.

In a ceremony on board helicopter carrier HMS Ocean – a relatively young ship, but with two major campaigns already under her belt off Afghanistan and Iraq – the old Colour was marched off, to be replaced by an identical new one.

The Queen told the ship’s company, and those watching the live TV link on large screens placed on the Hoe, of her admiration for the Navy and its sailors – and again had sympathy for the families and friends of those killed in action in recent months.

The Queen arrived in Plymouth by train, and was taken to the seafront where she was ferried out to HMS Ocean, more than a mile off the Hoe – she could not be brought in any closer as that was the closest mooring to the shore for a ship of her size.

Before the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh arrived on board, the old Colour – presented by the Queen on board the aircraft carrier HMS Eagle in Torbay in 1969 – was marched off to the strains of Auld Lang Syne, in the hands of Colour Officer Lt Hugh Saltonstall.

With the arrival of the VIPs, a 21-gun royal salute was delivered by Type 23 frigate HMS Norfolk, and after the Queen inspected the Guard of Honour and the Royal Marines Band, the new Colour was marched on, uncased and placed on a drum pile.

The Chaplain of the Fleet, the Venerable Barry Hammett, consecrated the Colour, and the Queen presented it to Colour Officer Lt Steven Berry.

The Queen then addressed the gathered parade:

“My grandfather presented the first Colour to the Fleet in 1924. I had the pleasure of presenting the second Colour on board Eagle in 1969.

“So this is a memorable day for me as I present this third Colour today in Ocean, 34 years later.

“As Lord High Admiral, I take great pride in this link between the Sovereign and the Royal Navy. This special relationship stretches back in some respects to King Alfred, but more directly to the time of King Henry VIII.

“Every Sovereign since those days has recognised the great responsibility of the Royal Navy as the protector of our island home.

“It is most appropriate that I should be presenting this Colour here in Plymouth Sound with its long association with the Service, and on the 415th anniversary of the defeat of the Spanish Armada.

“That decisive battle thwarted an attempted invasion and secured the vital interests of the nation. Ever since then the safety of all those who ‘pass on the seas upon their lawful occasions’ has continued to rest on the broad shoulders of the men and women of the Royal Navy.

“In recent years, their courage and dedication have been tested many times and never found wanting.

“yet success has its price, and I would like to express my sympathy once again to the families and friends of those who have recently given their lives on active service.

“As a daughter, wife and mother of Naval officers, I want to pay tribute to the families for the support they give to those who are serving far from home.

“I hope this Colour will be a symbol of the Fleet’s enduring spirit and devotion to duty in times of stress and danger. I trust it will inspire you as you face the challenges of an uncertain world.

“I give it into your care as a token of my admiration and trust in each and every one of you, and in the Fleet in which you serve.”

The Royal party then watched a sail-past of four ships, led by Type 42 destroyer HMS Newcastle, which was followed by Type 23 frigate HMS Portland, River-class patrol ship HMS Severn and Sandown-class minehunter HMS Walney.

The four ships slipped by the assembled flotilla, comprising Ocean, Norfolk, assault ship HMS Albion, Type 23 frigate HMS Grafton, RFAs Argus, Sir Bedivere and Wave Knight, survey launch HMSML Gleaner, and six of the Archer-class patrol boats, HM ships Blazer, Tracker, Raider, Puncher, Explorer and Express.

But with the low clouds which had been threatening for much of the morning finally blown in by strong, gusty winds, the fly-past had to be amended – though it still featured the full range of Naval aircraft, from fast jets to the venerable Sea King helicopter.

A total of just over 300 personnel were involved in the parade – more than 200 Junior rates or Royal Marines “other ranks”, 71 Senior Rates or NCOs, four Warrant Officers, three Royal Marines officers, one RFA officer and 15 RN officers.

As the Royal party had lunch on board, those still braving the rain on the Hoe lost sight of the flotilla in the drizzle, so had a chance to see various aspects of the Navy as a range of displays and exhibitions had been set up by the Senior Service.

The Queen was then brought back to shore, where she went to the gate of the Citadel to touch the keys, presented to her by a member of 29 Commando Royal Artillery, before she went to meet members of the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, 29 Commando RA and members of their families.

The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh also managed to catch a brief break in the weather to meet some of the soggy onlookers – the remnants of a crowd of up to 15,000 who had gathered that morning to watch the Colour ceremony before the wind and rain set in.

The old Colour will be laid up in St Nicholas’ Church, HMS Drake, this morning, after being marched from HMS Ocean and through Devonport Naval Base to the church, escorted by the Queen’s Colour Guard and Colour Party.

After a short service, led by the Rev Mark Jackson, Naval Chaplain of HMS Drake, the Colour will be put in its final resting place, between two former Colours – that of King George V and Flag Officer Plymouth.

Each Naval Colour is identical, and of precise dimensions. Each is a double-folded silk White Ensign 1.17 metres by 0.94 metres. With a crown and Royal Cypher embodied, and with gold and blue silk cord and gold tassels 1.07 metres in length.

It is carried on an ash staff 2.1 metres in length and 7.5cm in circumference, surmounted by a gilt badge consisting of an Admiralty anchor on a three-faced shield superimposed. The length of the staff is measured from the base of the badge.

The presentation of a Colour is permitted at intervals of not less than 25 years, and is generally presented when the old Colour has become worn out, or by a new monarch.

A Colour is a traditional military rallying point, originating in the badges and banners of medieval warlords and monarchs who needed a reference point in the confusion of battle.

They came to symbolise the gallantry and spirit of a corps, regiment or Service, and came to be regarded with veneration – a sense which was heightened by the practise of consecrating a Colour and laying it up in a church or public building when it is ‘retired’.

At one time each of the Navy’s home ports – Portsmouth, Plymouth and Chatham – had a Colour, kept in the respective barracks, and the major Commands – Atlantic Fleet, Mediterranean Station, East Indies Station, Africa Station and North America and West Indies Station – each had their own Colour, kept on board the respective flagships.

Colours were also presented to Dominion navies, and are held by the Canadians, the Australians and the New Zealanders.

The old Fleet Colour had been held at HMS Warrior in Northwood, and there are other Colours at Yeovilton (Naval Air Command), HMS Neptune (Submarine Service), Dartmouth (Britannia Royal Naval College) and one held by the Royal Naval Reserve, presented in may this year in London to mark the centenary of the Reservists.

Planning for the whole event was led by Cdr Gordon Graham, who joined the staff of Flag Officer Sea Training at Devonport in January to oversee the project.