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:
13. HMS Queen Elizabeth
HMS Queen Elizabeth is always welcomed by crowds when she sails from Portsmouth Photo: LPhot Stephen Johncock
14. HMS Queen Elizabeth
A Merlin Mk4 from 845 NAS lands on the flight deck. Photo: LPhot Belinda Alker
15. HMS Queen Elizabeth
Ships company gathered for the remembrance service held onboard HMS Queen Elizabeth in 2022. The service was led by Naval Chaplain Eddie Wills, wreaths were laid Commodore Angus Essenhigh, COMUKCSG, Captain Ian Feasey and Commander Air Group (CAG) Captain Mark Sparrow. Photo: LPhot Kevin Walton
16. HMS Queen Elizabeth
The Firth of Clyde is no stranger to the Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth and has been to the serene waters of the loch, berthing at Glen Mallan ammunition jetty. Photo: CPO Phot Si Ethell