Families reunite as HMS Prince of Wales docks

Returning crew members said it felt "epic" to be back with their loved ones for Christmas after an eight-month deployment

It was an emotional homecoming for hundreds of loved ones as the warship HMS Prince of Wales returned to Portsmouth.

The £3bn aircraft carrier has been used to showcase the UK's ability to run complex military operations worldwide.

The vessel has travelled 40,000 nautical miles since deploying in April, but now 1,600 personnel have returned to cheering crowds at the naval base.

The Royal Navy's flagship had been scheduled to return on Monday, but came back early due to bad weather.

The aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales returned to Portsmouth with a flypast from F-35s

The aircraft carrier is part of the UK's Carrier Strike Group, which includes Portsmouth destroyer HMS Dauntless, which also returned home from deployment.

Crowds gathered early to catch a glimpse of their loved ones and mark the end of their 2025 mission, codenamed Operation Highmast.

Among the crowds, parents Vicky and Alan Mackinnon had travelled from Orkney to greet their sons Callum and Alex.

Ahead of being reunited, Mrs Mackinnon said it felt like her "chest was going to burst".

As her sons got off the ship, she tearfully hugged them both and said it was "just amazing".

Her son, Alex Mackinnon, said it felt "very emotional" to be back with everyone.

"Coming off and seeing my family is amazing. I didn't realise there would be that many people - there's thousands."

The vessel has travelled 40,000 nautical miles since deploying in April

HMS Prince of Wales is one of the UK's largest and most advanced warships, acting as a floating airbase and command centre.

For the past eight months it has travelled across the world, to countries including Greece, Crete, Japan, Singapore and Australia.

Andrew "Bouncy" Ball said he felt "pretty epic" as he returned home to his loved ones

Vice Adm Stephen Moorhouse, CBE, said he was "hugely, hugely proud" of all that the crews had achieved on deployment.

He said: "You only have to look at the smiles on the faces of those men and women and their families, to understand personally and professionally what it means to them."

Vice Adm Stephen Moorhouse, CBE, has been part of the carrier project for 12 years and said it had 'evolved massively' from previous deployments

"We'll continue to test and develop the capabilities, but this deployment was really important," Vice Adm Moorhouse said.

"It's the largest number of F35s on that deck. Norwegians sailing with us for that full deployment, so the international partners and no covid, so a lot more engagement with regional partners around the world.

"It's a huge milestone and something we should be really proud of."