Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth returns to Portsmouth

CROWDS gathered to watch HMS Queen Elizabeth return to the city to re-supply ahead of further trials of F35 Lightning fighter jets.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

The £3bn warship has returned to the city after conducting a series of tests – ranging from war game scenarios to mock fire drills – off the south coast near Plymouth.

She is expected to remain alongside for several days in order to collect supplies and equipment for upcoming fighter jet trials.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The sight of the 65,000 tonne aircraft carrier drew crowds along the shoreline and Old Portsmouth’s Round Tower, with a smaller-than-usual turnout allowing people to socially distance safely.

HMS Queen Elizabeth returning to Portsmouth in order to resupply for upcoming fighter jet trials. Picture: Mark CoxHMS Queen Elizabeth returning to Portsmouth in order to resupply for upcoming fighter jet trials. Picture: Mark Cox
HMS Queen Elizabeth returning to Portsmouth in order to resupply for upcoming fighter jet trials. Picture: Mark Cox

For Royal Navy veteran Steve Pryor, who was wearing a face mask along with his wife Gill, the thinned-out crowds left them feeling ‘very lucky’ to have a ‘fantastic’ view from the Round Tower.

Read More
Massive fall in Portsmouth region GP appointments recorded in April

The Waterlooville resident said: ‘It’s always been too crowded when we have come down before – so we have been lucky with the view.

The 69-year-old added that the virus was a factor they considered before heading out.

HMS Queen Elizabeth returns to the city after completing a series of trials off the south coast near Plymouth. Photo: Mark CoxHMS Queen Elizabeth returns to the city after completing a series of trials off the south coast near Plymouth. Photo: Mark Cox
HMS Queen Elizabeth returns to the city after completing a series of trials off the south coast near Plymouth. Photo: Mark Cox
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He said: ‘But seeing as it’s got a lot better and most people are observing the rules, we thought we’d come down.

‘We would probably have gone along the beach if it was busy here.’

It was the first time Terry Stephen, also from Waterlooville, was able to see the ship in person – an occasion made more special by the fact his son, Carl, is serving onboard as part of of the flight command team.

The aircraft carrier is expected to remain in Portsmouth for several days. Photo: Mark CoxThe aircraft carrier is expected to remain in Portsmouth for several days. Photo: Mark Cox
The aircraft carrier is expected to remain in Portsmouth for several days. Photo: Mark Cox

The 62-year-old: ‘It’s good to see it in person – seeing the ship has made me feel even more proud of him.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Commenting on social distancing, he added: ‘Most people haven’t got right on top of each other – people were not crammed together.’

Swindon resident Brent Strange, who served as an engineer in the Royal Navy for seven years, was not going to miss the sight regardless of the pandemic.

Visiting with wife, Rosie, he said: ‘We try to come down every time the aircraft carriers are here.

‘We would come down no matter what – it’s really import to support the navy.’

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

On Wednesday the ship's Twitter account said basic sea training had ended successfully. She is undergoing rigorous testing before going operational.

This week the aircraft carrier also completed her first assessed nighttime replenishment at sea with RFA Tideforce.

A message from the Editor

Thank you for reading this story on portsmouth.co.uk. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to portsmouth.co.uk and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit our Subscription page now to sign up.

Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.