Crowds gather to welcome home HMS Queen Elizabeth

Crowds gathered to welcome home HMS Queen Elizabeth after her four-month maiden voyage to the USA for flight trials.

The £3bn aircraft carrier is one of the most advanced warships ever built by the Royal Navy and will be on operations for the next 50 years.

She is capable of carrying up to 40 aircraft and is said to enter the naval service in 2020.

As the UK’s largest aircraft carrier, many were excited for its return and waited in anticipation for the ship’s arrival.

The aircraft carrier arrived in the harbour at around 1.30pm today and many were there to witness the symbolic event.

Families and friends crowded Gunwharf Quays to greet their loved ones, who were coming home after the four-month expedition, along with many other residents who were eager to get a glimpse of the immense vessel.

Linda Hasledine, 64, from Chichester, was there with her husband and said: ‘My husband used to be in the navy and we have just spent the weekend in Southampton, so we thought we would come down to see the arrival of the ship.’

Another lady, Tracey Castle, 28, from Southsea, whose uncle is in the navy, said: ‘The navy is very important because it keeps us going. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.’

The HMS Queen Elizabeth’s social media team celebrated the return of their princess and showed us just how dedicated crew members are.

And of course for the families of the crew it is very emotional.