HMS Prince of Wales’ flight deck is “open for business” as the carrier makes her way back to Portsmouth from Rosyth.

The UK’s biggest warship had been in Scotland for nearly nine months undergoing repairs to her propeller shaft after she broke down leaving her home port for deployment to the US two months earlier.

HMS Prince of Wales announced the news on X, the new name for Twitter, with a Top Gun-inspired message to aviators. 

• HMS Prince of Wales sails under Forth Bridge on journey back to HMNB Portsmouth
• HMS Prince of Wales makes ‘calm seas rage’ during power tests
• HMS Prince of Wales moves out of dry dock after nine months of repairs

“Good morning aviators, this is your carrier speaking,” the message read.

“Please fasten your seatbelts, return the tray tables to their locked and upright positions and prepare for landing(s).

“Our flight deck is open for business.”

The ship also tagged RNAS Yeovilton, home to the Royal Navy Wildcat and Commando Helicopter Force, and RNAS Culdrose, home to the Royal Navy’s maritime Merlins – indicating that the carrier could be about to welcome those aircraft on board.

HMS Prince of Wales last week posted a video of the ship making “calm seas rage” during power tests.

The 65,000-tonne vessel had to undergo repairs in Rosyth following a malfunction to her starboard shaft. A second, separate shaft issue was also later discovered.