The warship is currently in drydock in Rosyth, Scotland following a propeller shaft misalignment fault and has been there since March after the fault was discovered just before she was due to leave the city to take part in Exercise Steadfast Defender - Nato’s largest operation since The Cold War. A faulty coupling, discovered on the starboard propeller shaft in February, threw a spanner in the works to those plans, stopping her from going to the North Sea and working alongside allied warships and other units, as well as Exercise Joint Warrior. Her sister ship HMS Prince of Wales was instead dispatched in her place.
So while we wait for news of how the repair work is progressing we look back at some of her previous adventures around the globe – and a bit closer to home:
9. HMS Queen Elizabeth
A day after sailing from Portsmouth, 8 F35-B Lightning Jets from RAF Marham embarked on HMS Queen Elizabeth for Operation ACHILLEAN.Photographer: AS1 Natalie Adams Photo: AS1 Natalie Adams RAF
10. HMS Queen Elizabeth
HMS Queen Elizabeth’s ship’s company gathered in the hangar for a service of remembrance on 2022 led by Naval Chaplain Eddie Wills. Wreaths were laid by Commodore Angus Essenhigh (COMUKCSG), Captain Mark Sparrow (Commander Air Group) and Captain Ian Feasey (Commanding Officer HMS Queen Elizabeth). Executive Warrant Officer Billy May read the role of honour, listing those Royal Navy personnel who have died in the past year. Photo: LPhot Belinda Alker
11. HMS Queen Elizabeth
HMS Queen Elizabeth ship's company line the deck as the Royal Navy flagship sails into New York in September 2022 ahead of hosting the Atlantic Future Forum. The Nation's Flagship was followed up the Hudson by its escort, HMS Richmond. Photo: MOD
12. HMS Queen Elizabeth
HMS Queen Elizabeth sailed from Portsmouth in November 2022 to begin her Autumn deployment. Photo: LPhot Belinda Alker