Royal Navy carrier sailors home for Christmas

Capt Richard Hewitt, the carrier's commanding officer, was greeted by his family

One of the Royal Navy's two new aircraft carriers has been welcomed home after a three-month deployment.

More than 2,000 relatives and friends gathered at Portsmouth Naval Base to greet sailors from HMS Prince of Wales.

The ship has been conducting sea trials and operating with aircraft and drones, east of the US.

Its commanding officer, Capt Richard Hewitt from Kingsbridge in Devon, said the crew had worked to "push the boundaries of naval aviation".

Sailors Lucy Phillips and Luke Gorst, pictured with Able Seaman Gorst's foster sister, became engaged during the deployment

Among those to greet Capt Hewitt at the port was his 10-year-old son who said: "I'm happy, emotional and proud."

Petty Officer Nicholas Baker, 32, from Derby, was met by his fiancee Rebecca Randle and their daughter who turns two next week.

Ms Randle said: "It's great to have him home. My cheeks are already hurting because I've been smiling so much."

More than 2,000 relatives and friends welcomed the sailors home

Sailors Lucy Phillips, 21, from Waltham Abbey, east London, and Luke Gorst, 22, from Chester, Cheshire, became engaged during the deployment.

Able Seaman Phillips said: "The girls organised a do on board and everyone congratulated me. The planning starts now."

The £3bn warship carried out flight trials with US military aircraft and drones.

It left on the delayed voyage in September after a broken propeller shaft led to nine months of repairs.

The ship will be put through further maintenance and training exercises ahead of its first carrier strike group deployment in 2025.