HMS Queen Elizabeth sets off for repairs

HMS Queen Elizabeth has left Portsmouth on its way to Scotland for repairs.

The aircraft carrier will have work completed on its propeller shaft in Rosyth.

The Royal Navy's flagship had to withdraw from a Nato exercise last month after routine checks revealed the problem.

The ship was replaced in the Exercise Steadfast Defender mission by HMS Prince of Wales.

In August 2022, the Prince of Wales broke down - also with a propeller shaft problem - shortly after leaving Portsmouth and had to go into dry dock for repairs.

The Queen Elizabeth sailed to the US in place of its sister ship for training exercises off the coast of North America.

HMS Prince of Wales was taken to the Babcock shipyard, where it was built, in Rosyth, Fife. Repairs took nine months to complete.

The carrier had come to a halt off the Isle of Wight and was towed back into harbour for the problem to be identified.

A Royal Navy spokesperson said: “The aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth is preparing for her sailing window to travel to Rosyth in Scotland so any necessary repairs can be carried out on her starboard propeller shaft coupling.

"As ever, sailing will be subject to suitable tide and weather conditions. "

Follow BBC South on Facebook, X, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected].