The carrier sailed from Rosyth, where she was assembled, in late September with a mixed ship’s company of Royal Navy sailors (600-plus) and around 300 civilian contractors on board to take her through an autumn of trials in the North Sea.



“It’s been a unique experience watching the ship transition from its initial build to an operational warship,” said Air Engineering Technician Anthony Greatorex.



“It’s a proud moment to be a member of the first ship’s company and an opportunity that I am unlikely to get again.”



HMS Prince of Wales’s arrival means Portsmouth Naval Base is now home to two aircraft carriers.



The yard has been modernised to accommodate the two behemoths, with £30 million spent on strengthening and upgrading the base’s Victory Jetty.



For Portsmouth native, Chef James Bascran, it was a proud moment in his naval career and for the city he was born and raised in.



He said: “I am really excited for the ship coming into Portsmouth for the first time. My family will be watching and I am looking forward to showing them this incredible ship.”



HMS Prince of Wales arrives after around eight weeks of trials after sailing from Rosyth Dockyard on the Forth eight years after she was laid down.



When she sailed beneath the iconic Forth crossings – lowering her main mast to do so – it meant the two largest warships ever built for the Royal Navy were at sea simultaneously, with HMS Queen Elizabeth currently off the east coast of the USA testing her F-35 Lightning fighter jets.



Since that moment in September, the milestones have been racking up before her arrival in the Solent today.



During the trials, the first aircraft touched down on the flight deck, as a Merlin helicopter was guided safely in to land, before the ship then hit top speed as she tested her engines to the max.



Following a brief pit stop in Invergordon, HMS Prince of Wales was tested in heavier seas to see how she handles in challenging weather. The carrier faced Sea State 6 (waves up to 20ft high) and carved through them relatively untroubled.



Most recently, she carried out tests on her flight deck to ensure she can now host aircraft permanently on board.



HMS Prince of Wales will be formally commissioned before the end of the year.