Royal Navy: 23 heartwarming photos capturing the moment families are reunited after HMS Defender and HMS Diamond return to Portsmouth

THESE were the heartwarming scenes at the naval base in Portsmouth as families were reunited in time for Christmas.

HMS Defender and HMS Diamond sailed back into port on Thursday after seven month deployments as part of the Carrier Strike Group.

Families were waiting at Portsmouth naval base waiting to greet the sailors as they disembarked.

You can see 23 photos capturing the heartwarming moments loved ones were reunited in our gallery below.

Make sure to click through all the pages!

9. HMS Diamond

Graham Gregory and wife Stacey with his children Iris and Zackary. Picture: Habibur Rahman Photo: Habibur Rahman

Crew members embrace family as they step off HMS Diamond. Picture: Habibur Rahman Photo: Habibur Rahman

Crew members stepping off HMS Diamond. Picture: Habibur Rahman Photo: Habibur Rahman

Crew members embrace family as they step off HMS Diamond. Picture: Habibur Rahman Photo: Habibur Rahman