Have you ever wondered... How the Navy and the Marines came to be ‘royal’? How Samuel Pepys helped professionalise the Navy while at the same time penning his famous diary. What the origins of everyday expressions like ‘toeing the line’, ‘showing your true colours’ and ‘piping-hot food’ are? Marvel at the magnificent vessels that have always been the backbone of the force, from the Tudor warship Mary Rose to the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth, the largest warship ever built for the Royal Navy. Pay homage to the acclaimed naval heroes and the impressive battles that make up its illustrious history, from the Battle of Gravelines which saw off the Spanish Armada to the two world wars of the twentieth century and beyond, via the sea battles of the Napoleonic Wars. And learn about the remarkable people who serve in the Navy’s ranks today as its beating heart, in roles as widespread as conflict-prevention, counternarcotics, counter-piracy and humanitarian and disaster relief, ensuring that the Senior Service will retain its reputation for excellence for generations to come.