Britain marked the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar in 2005. The victory sealed Horatio Lord Nelson's status as a national hero, ended the French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte's ambitions to invade England and led to more than 100 years of British naval domination. Around 40 countries were invited by the Royal Navy to participate in the International Fleet Review (IFR) at the eastern Solent off Spithead at Portsmouth, Hampshire on 28 June 2005. The Trafalgar 200 review commemorated not only the bicentenary of the death of Admiral Lord Nelson and the Battle of Trafalgar, but also carried out a 600-year-old tradition of fleet reviews which British sovereigns have done off Spithead since the reign of King Edward III.

INS Mumbai was the lone destroyer that represented India and the Indian Navy at this prestigious event and that was not lost on either the officers or sailors of the vessel. Military photographer Roel Van De Velde was at this illustrious event and snapped a couple of pictures of INS Mumbai at Portsmouth on 28 June 2005.

Images © Roel Van De Velde