Naval Ships

HMS Queen Elizabeth prepares for December 7 commissioning

Baird Maritime

The Royal Navy's new aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth has arrived at her home port of Portsmouth before she is commissioned by the Queen on December 7.

The UK's defence secretary Gavin Williams visited the carrier during sea trials around the south coast of England over the past fortnight.

It will be the first time the Queen has visited the UK's new flagship since she formally named her in Rosyth, Scotland in July 2014. Since then the ship has been completed and sailed into Portsmouth.

Her identical sister ship, HMS Prince of Wales, has also been formally named and is now structurally complete.

Both of the UK's aircraft carriers are being delivered by the Aircraft Carrier Alliance, a unique partnering relationship between industry and the UK Ministry of Defence.