Royal Navy: Channel 5 TV special to show 'most dangerous leg' of HMS Prince of Wales’ Pacific op - when, times
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An enlightening documentary will be showing behind-the-scenes footage of life aboard the Royal Navy flagship on its most recent global deployment.
The 90-minute special episode of Channel 5’s Warship: Life on the Frontline will show HMS Prince of Wales during Operation Highmast. Scheduled to air on March 25 at 9pm, TV host and former Royal Marine JJ Chalmers will showcase how the crew of 1,600 men and women prepared for what was described as “the most dangerous leg” of their eight-month deployment.
Discussing the synopsis, a Channel 5 spokesperson said: “Filmed in October 2025, the aircraft carrier comes under orders to conduct warfighting drills within sight of Iran, just months after it entered into a 12-day war with Israel. JJ witnesses state of the art jets dropping massive bombs on the northern edge of the Arabian sea, well within range of Iranian drones and missiles.
“When HMS Prince of Wales then turns to begin her long journey home, she must first pass through treacherous waters patrolled by Houthi terrorists. Backed by Iran, they have made threats against the Royal Navy, so JJ and the crew must prepare for the worst.”
HMS Prince of Wales was at the helm of the UK Carrier Strike Group (UKCSG). Joined by Type 45 destroyer HMS Dauntless, Type 23 frigate HMS Richmond, support vessels RFA Tideforce and Tidesurge, and aviators in the Royal Navy and RAF, British personnel carried out military drills and diplomatic missions across the globe. This included programmes in the Mediterranean, Australia, Japan, South Korea, India, and elsewhere.
Leaving HMNB Portsmouth on April 22, the 65,000 tonne warship returned home on November 30 and given a resounding reception. This was the biggest Royal Navy homecoming in 20 years. The deployment was not all plain-sailing for the personnel. Young sailors previously spoke to The News about how they had to “prepare for the worst” while crossing The Red Sea, an area subject to activity from Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. Personnel were also “harassed” by China while transiting through the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait.
Channel 5 has previously organised several documentaries with the Royal Navy to show their day-to-day operations, from training new recruits at HMS Raleigh to F-35B fighter jets taking off from the Queen Elizabeth-class carriers. More information can be found on the TV channel’s website.