HMS Prince of Wales, the second of two Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers designed and constructed for the Royal Navy, sailed into her home port of Portsmouth Naval Base for the first time on 16 November.

The ship’s arrival was the culmination of 16 years of work by the Aircraft Carrier Alliance (comprising BAE Systems, Babcock, Thales and the Ministry of Defence).

More than 10,000 people have been involved in the programme to deliver the two aircraft carriers, with six shipbuilding yards around the UK playing a vital role in the ships’ design and construction.

Simon Lister, ACA managing director (www.aircraftcarrieralliance.co.uk), said: “Delivering next-generation naval capability of this complexity is a proud moment for our employees and showcases the UK’s industrial capability.

“This programme has brought together the best of British imagination, ingenuity and invention, and I am extremely proud of our teams, who have shown relentless drive, energy and a continued focus on ensuring that we deliver the very best for the Royal Navy.”

Designed to test the carrier’s capability, HMS Prince of Wales and her ship’s company have accomplished a number of trials and ‘firsts’ during their nine weeks at sea, including the landing of a Merlin Mk2 helicopter and running the ship’s engines at full power.

The sea trials programme tested all 158 essential systems on the ship.

Meanwhile, more than £100 million has been spent updating and enhancing the facilities at Portsmouth Naval Base, including an upgrade to the Princess Royal Jetty, which will be home to both carriers.

A new combined heat and power facility has also been established to deliver power to the carriers, improve the energy resilience of the base and reduce its carbon footprint.