HMS Queen Elizabeth: The Queen sends message welcoming Royal Navy carrier back to Portsmouth - latest updates
and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565
The Royal Navy’s fleet flagship finally sailed back into her home port after leaving on her first operational mission.
HMS Diamond and HMS Defender, which were part of the Carrier Strike Group, have already arrived back in Portsmouth today.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad
According to shipping movements published by the Queen’s Harbour Master, Queen Elizabeth will pass the Nab Tower in the Solent at about 2.30pm.
The main harbour channel will be closed to outbound shipping from 2.50pm while the carrier manoeuvres her way in, and will remain so until 4.50pm.
Queen Elizabeth is expected to be alongside at about 3.20pm.
The best spots to watch the carrier and the other ships sail back into Portsmouth include the Square Tower and the Round Tower – although you should expect them to be busy as they are popular.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdWe will bring you all the latest updates and reaction throughout today in our live blog.
You can find the blog at the bottom of this article.
Subscribe here for unlimited access to all our coverage, including Pompey, for just 26p a day.
Live updates as HMS Queen Elizabeth returns to Portsmouth
Key Events
- Carrier returns after first operational mission
- Deployment has taken QE to the Far East
- HMS Diamond and HMS Defender have also returned
HMS Diamond spotted closing in on her return
Picture: Alex Shute
Heartwarming moment that families were reunited!
Lft Kelly Jenkins- Hill is reunited with her daughter Sophia, 3, who she hasn’t seen for a year, and husband Simon Jenkins. The family is from Gosport.
Which ship will return next?
Next up will be HMS Diamond - another warship in the Carrier Strike Group!
Picture captures excitement as HMS Defender returns home
Photo from Alex Shute
Four photos showing HMS Defender sailing into Portsmouth
Alex Shute has captured the moment that HMS Defender sailed into Portsmouth Harbour
Waiting for John Harris
The family of John Harris are waiting at the naval base with this excellent sign!
Another fantastic photo!
Yet another spectacular photo from Alex Shute!
Preparations in the harbour
Our photographer Alex Shute has snapped some pictures showing the preparations underway in the harbour this morning ahead of the return of the warships
Excitement builds for return of sailors
Families are waiting at the naval base for HMS Diamond and HMS Defender to return to Portsmouth - and excitement is building.
Here are some pictures from the scene! All taken by Habibur Rahman
First sight of HMS Defender
HMS Defender is set to sail into the naval base at around 9am.
Comment Guidelines
National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.