HMS Diamond (D34)

HMS "Diamond" is the third ship of the Type 45 or "Daring"-class air-defence destroyers built for the Royal Navy. She was launched in 2007, completed her contractor's sea trials in July 2010 and arrived at her base port on 22 September 2010. "Diamond" was commissioned in a traditional ceremony on 6 May 2011, and formally entered service on 12 July 2011.
Construction.
"Diamond"s construction began at the BAE Systems Naval Ships yard at Govan on the River Clyde in February 2005. She was launched on 27 November 2007.
Sea trials.
By July 2010, "Diamond" had been fully fitted out and finished her contractors' sea trials (stage 1 trials). She arrived in her base port of HMNB Portsmouth on 22 September 2010.
Operational service.
"Diamond" was commissioned in a traditional ceremony on 6 May 2011 in her home port of Portsmouth. The ceremony was attended by the ship's sponsor and the Commander-in-Chief Fleet Admiral Sir Trevor Soar. "Diamond" continued undergoing sea trials until she entered operational service in July 2011 after the completion of her trials. The ship conducted operational training before commencing her first overseas deployment. "Diamond" is commenced her deployment in the summer of 2012, starting with celebrations to mark the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
"Diamond" was in the Middle East Area of Operations in 2012. During Operation Recsyr in February 2014 she escorted carrying chemical agents from Syria.
On 8 May 2017, "Diamond" performed a demonstration firing of an Aster 30 off the coast of Scotland.
On 4 September 2017, Diamond sailed for a 9-month deployment to the Middle East, initially scheduled to relieve HMS "Monmouth", she was instead diverted to take over as flagship of Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 from sister HMS "Duncan" when her intended relief, HMS "Ocean" was redeployed to provide relief to British Overseas Territories in the Caribbean in the wake of Hurricane Irma. "Diamond" was relieved of her NATO duties upon the return of "Ocean" from the Caribbean on 30 October and resumed her planned deployment to relieve "Monmouth." However, on 23 November, The Times reported that "Diamond" was being forced to abandon her deployment and return to Portsmouth early due to mechanical issues, which was later confirmed by the Ministry of Defence.
As of 10 April 2021, HMS Diamond Left Portsmouth to take the honour of Commemorating a 41-Gun Salute to Pay Respects and For The Passing of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh and has flown her flag at half-mast. One Minute of Shots fired intervals at 1:37 PM (Time on her twitter Post) or 1100 Hrs Military time GMT. 
Affiliations.
Other.
As part of her affiliation with Coventry, "Diamond" carries a cross of nails created from the remains of Coventry Cathedral. At the end of the Second World War a cross of nails was created out of the wreckage and has been presented to all ships that carry the name "Coventry". It was recovered from the wreck of by divers after she was sunk in the Falklands War and presented to the crew of "Diamond" on her commissioning by Captain David Hart-Dyke, the commanding officer of "Coventry" at the time of her sinking.
The City of Sheffield was offered affiliation to "Diamond", but this was turned down by Sheffield City Council and the Lord Mayor, who want the city associated with another . The affiliation has now been transferred to the City of Coventry.