Royal Navy carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth set to return to Portsmouth

HMS Queen Elizabeth, which formed up with other ships to assemble the navy’s Carrier Strike Group for the first time, has been out doing a series of trials after leaving Portsmouth on September 21.

These trials in the North Sea are part of a strict training regime, ahead of the vessel being declared fully fit for operations next year.

Now, according to the Queen’s Harbour Master, she is due to return to Portsmouth Naval Base tomorrow morning, at 10.25am.

While at sea, the 65,000-tonne carrier had 14 of the F-35B stealth jets join her – the first time that two squadrons have appeared on board at one time.

HMS Queen Elizabeth was also joined by seven Royal Navy destroyers, frigates and auxiliaries, plus other supporting units, to form the carrier strike group.

The Royal Navy says this is a planned return following the completion of the strike group trials.

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