The Queen is to miss the rededication of aircraft carrier HMS Invincible on Friday as she will be in hospital undergoing an operation to remove a torn cartilage in her left knee – but the Duke of York will step in to represent her in Portsmouth.

The day marks the return of Invincible to service, and was to add to a long list of links between the Queen and the warship dating back to May 1977 – Silver Jubilee year – when the Queen launched the first of class.

The Queen was present at the ship’s commissioning in Portsmouth in July 1980, and at the recommissioning in May 1989 after refit.

But the presence of the Duke of York is seen as particularly appropriate, as Prince Andrew served in the carrier as a Sea King pilot during the Falklands War in 1982.

Among the 2,000 guests expected at Portsmouth Naval Base on Friday will be a large number of senior officers, including First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Alan West and Commander-in-Chief Fleet Admiral Sir Jonathon Band.

Ten former Commanding Officers will also be in attendance, and the rededication service will be conducted by the Chaplain of the Fleet, the Ven Barry Hammett.

Invincible returned to her home base of Portsmouth earlier this year after undergoing a £64 million refit at Rosyth in Scotland.