Crowds gathered along Belfast Lough to witness the arrival of Britain’s 65,000-tonne aircraft carrier, as the Royal Navy’s formidable warship made history with the first carrier visit to the Northern Irish capital since 1965.
It was a magnificent sight, and a proud moment for Belfast, as one of Britain’s greatest naval assets sailed into the city’s historic harbour on Wednesday morning.
HMS Queen Elizabeth, the 284-metre-long giant of the Royal Navy, arrived in Northern Ireland on October 7 to a warm welcome, drawing spectators to the shores of Belfast Lough.
The arrival marked the first time an aircraft carrier had visited Belfast in 61 years, bringing one of the Royal Navy’s largest modern warships to a city with an extraordinary maritime heritage.
Crowds gathered at locations including Jordanstown to watch the vessel make her way through the lough, while Belfast Harbour officials welcomed the ship and her crew.
Belfast Harbour’s commercial executive, Gary Hall, described the occasion as something the city could take enormous pride in.
Speaking to the News Letter, he said: “It’s a really special occasion and something we should all be very proud of.”
Belfast Harbour Port Director Michael Robinson explained that accommodating a warship of such proportions had required extensive preparations.
“Not every port can take a ship this size, and a lot of planning has gone on with our team, working very closely with the Royal Navy to make sure that the Queen Elizabeth can come along safely,” he told Forces News.
He also highlighted Belfast’s shipbuilding heritage, including its connections to HMS Belfast and the aircraft carriers HMS Eagle and HMS Glorious.
The vessel berthed at Belfast Cruise Terminal, with departure expected on Monday, October 12.
Around 750 members of the ship’s company were expected to have the opportunity to spend time in the city during the visit. The stop also allows the ship to take on supplies and conduct defence engagement activities.
Preparing for front-line operations
Behind the excitement surrounding her arrival lies an important military mission.
HMS Queen Elizabeth is undergoing an intensive programme of training following a major overhaul at Rosyth in Scotland, as she prepares to return to front-line operational readiness.
The carrier is spending the autumn operating around the United Kingdom and the eastern Atlantic, conducting exercises with Royal Navy helicopters, developing aviation capabilities and undertaking trials involving drones.
In July, HMS Queen Elizabeth became the first of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers to assume the role of NATO command ship for the Allied Response Force.
The Royal Navy confirmed in September that more than 800 sailors would take part in a three-month programme designed to strengthen collective defence, deterrence and operational readiness.
Commanding Officer Captain Claire Thompson described the deployment as a major milestone in the ship’s return to full operational capability.
“Sailing this autumn is a key milestone for both our NATO commitment, as the Afloat Command Platform and also on our journey back to the Royal Navy’s ‘very high readiness’ aircraft carrier,” she said.
The ship is scheduled to take over from her sister vessel, HMS Prince of Wales, as Britain’s high-readiness strike carrier in late 2027.
A triumph of British engineering
Displacing approximately 65,000 tonnes, HMS Queen Elizabeth is one of the two largest warships ever built for the Royal Navy.
Her flight deck covers around four acres, providing space for operations involving F-35 Lightning stealth fighters and helicopters.
Designed to accommodate an air group of up to 40 aircraft, the carrier can serve as a floating airbase, military headquarters and command centre for British and allied forces.
When operating with a full complement of aircraft and supporting personnel, around 1,600 people can be accommodated aboard.
Her construction involved shipyards and engineering expertise from across the United Kingdom. The vessel was formally named by the late Queen Elizabeth II in 2014.
Preparing for the future of naval warfare
The Royal Navy is also preparing the carrier for the next generation of warfare.
The Ministry of Defence has confirmed investment of 240 million pounds in the development of new drones for a future Hybrid Carrier Air Wing, intended to combine crewed fighter aircraft with uncrewed systems.
The programme includes plans for jet-powered drones capable of operating alongside F-35 fighters.
Meanwhile, the ship’s crew have been undertaking emergency training, including rehearsals for aircraft accidents on the flight deck, as the carrier works towards full operational readiness.
A proud moment for Belfast and Britain
For Belfast, the visit is about more than military exercises and technological capability. It is also a celebration of a proud maritime tradition.
Northern Ireland has long played a part in Britain’s naval and shipbuilding history, and Belfast’s harbour remains one of the country’s important maritime gateways.
The arrival of HMS Queen Elizabeth, more than six decades after the city’s previous aircraft carrier visit, provides a reminder of that heritage.
As Britain’s sailors enjoy some well-earned time ashore before returning to their duties, the silhouette of HMS Queen Elizabeth in Belfast Harbour stands as a symbol of the skill, professionalism and dedication of the men and women who serve in the Royal Navy.
A magnificent British warship, a historic British port, and a welcome worthy of the occasion.
