Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, visited in October 1973 to perform the ceremony granting the HMS Ark Royal the Freedom of the City of Leeds. Freedom of entry gave them the giving them the privilege of marching through the streets of the city on all ceremonial occasions. Around 400 of the crew were in the city for the celebration which also included a march past from Leeds Civic Hall through the city centre as well as a flypast by 26 aircraft from the ship. The 50,000 tonne aircraft carrier boasted a long association with the city. In 1941 the predecessor of the present ship was torpedoed and sunk by a German u-boat in the Mediterranean. It prompted an astonishing fundraising appeal from Leeds and its residents who raised £9 million for a new Ark Royal. These photos, plucked from the YEP archive, turn back the clock to showcase the celebrations in 1973 - were you among the crowds that day? READ MORE: Ark Royal Week - How Leeds raised £9 million for a new warship LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook
![Pictured is seven-year old Julia King, daughter of crew member, Petty Officer Electrician, Ian King, presenting Her Majesty with a posy of flowers.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/QVNIMTE4OTY4OTU5.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
1. Freedom of the City
Pictured is seven-year old Julia King, daughter of crew member, Petty Officer Electrician, Ian King, presenting Her Majesty with a posy of flowers.
![Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, inspects the crew of HMS Ark Royal.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/QVNIMTE4OTY4OTY2.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
2. Freedom of the City
Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, inspects the crew of HMS Ark Royal.
![On the steps of the Civic Hall, on the left, is Captain A.D. Cassidy, who commanded the Ark Royal. To the right of the Queen Mother is the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Alderman Kenneth Travis Davison, wearing his chain of office.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/QVNIMTE4OTY4OTY3.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
3. Freedom of the City
On the steps of the Civic Hall, on the left, is Captain A.D. Cassidy, who commanded the Ark Royal. To the right of the Queen Mother is the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Alderman Kenneth Travis Davison, wearing his chain of office.
![Crew of HMS Ark Royal parade past HM Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother outside Leed Civic Hall.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/QVNIMTE4OTY4OTY5.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
4. Freedom of the City
Crew of HMS Ark Royal parade past HM Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother outside Leed Civic Hall.
![400 of the ships company took part in a march past from Leeds Civic Hall through the city centre, bearing the charter. Cookridge Street is in the background.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/QVNIMTE4OTY4OTc2.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
5. Freedom of the City
400 of the ships company took part in a march past from Leeds Civic Hall through the city centre, bearing the charter. Cookridge Street is in the background.
![The Queen Mother is outside Leeds Civic Hall with Lord Mayor Kenneth Travis Davison. On the left is Captain A.D. Cassidy, HMS Ark Royal.](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/QVNIMTE4OTY4OTc3.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
6. Freedom of the City
The Queen Mother is outside Leeds Civic Hall with Lord Mayor Kenneth Travis Davison. On the left is Captain A.D. Cassidy, HMS Ark Royal.