The largest facility of its kind in the UK, it will give specialist technical training to the three armed services.

BBC: Cable says scrap defence academy

Alongside the National Security Council discussions there have been separate talks within the Ministry of Defence (MoD) itself, involving the heads of the three armed services - the Royal Navy, the Army and the RAF.

BBC: Q&A: Strategic defence and security review

Members of the three armed services, military bands and huge crowds of flag-waving well-wishers lined the route as the royals made their way from a reception in the City of London to a formal lunch at Westminster Hall.

CNN: Queen's balcony wave, flyover cap Diamond Jubilee celebrations