Royal Navy: HMS Queen Elizabeth to make surprise return to Portsmouth after 9 months - here's when
HMS Queen Elizabeth set to make long awaited return
A Royal Navy aircraft carrier is set to make a long awaited return to Portsmouth on Monday after nine months away.
As reported, HMS Queen Elizabeth left the Rosyth dockyard in Fife, Scotland, on Sunday (April 19) after an extended maintenance period. It had been at anchor in the Firth of Forth since then before leaving under the bridge for sea trials on Thursday (April 23).
The sudden announcement of her return to Portsmouth comes as something of a surprise after she was reportedly undertaking sea trials around the English coast. The warship is due in Portsmouth Harbour on Monday at 9.30am, according to the King’s Harbour Master.
A social media statement from Babcock International previously said of the sea trials: “An awe‑inspiring sight at Rosyth – engineering excellence supporting a vital national asset. HMS Queen Elizabeth departs, with sea trials next. A proud milestone delivered by our team.”
Following a visit earlier this year, one of the ship’s former Commanding Officers, Vice Admiral Steve Moorhouse, said: “As a former CO, great to be back with HMS Queen Elizabeth and see the fantastic progress they’ve made as they prepare to return to sea. Brilliant sailors doing brilliant things.”
The Queen Elizabeth-class carrier left Portsmouth on July 16, 2025, bound for Scotland while carrying out sea trials en-route. She had her propulsion systems upgraded beforehand, but mechanical problems were found while alongside HMNB Portsmouth during routine machinery trials.
She has been at the Rosyth dry dock, where she was originally built, since September last year. Her planned seven month docking period had to be slightly extended for the work to be finalised.
Like most of the Royal Navy fleet, HMS Queen Elizabeth is subject to the Lloyd’s Rules regulatory framework, where the ship needs to be inspected in the dry dock every six years. Navy Lookout reports that this involves a full survey of the hull, rudders, and propellers. Hull valves and sea chests need to be checked and repaired if there are any signs of corrosion.
Her return coincides with her sister ship, HMS Prince of Wales, which was waved off from Portsmouth on Friday as she returned to sea for trials.