SAILORS aboard a war ship named after a Kent town refused to let being at sea prevent them from congratulating a certain Royal couple.

Royal Navy frigate HMS Chatham decided to mark the 60th wedding anniversary of HM The Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh yesterday in Malta.

Members of the ship’s company went up on the flight deck to form a ‘60’ to send a visual photographic greeting to the Royal couple.

The ship decided to send the visual message after discovering their visit to the Mediterranean isle coincided with a tour by the Monarch.

The Royal couple have links to Malta that go back to the early days of their relationship. It was where they first lived when the Duke was stationed there as a serving Royal Naval officer.