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A £3 billion aircraft has had its depature from Portsmouth delayed – again – with the timings altered by the Royal Navy. As reported previously, the HMS Prince of Wales was set to leave her homeport at 10.50am on Friday (October 7) but, according to the Royal Navy shipping movements, she will now leave Portsmouth at 10.55pm.

Graced with a royal presence, the vessel had its commissioning ceremony in Portsmouth back in 2019. However, recently, the aircraft carrier has been stationed at Portsmouth Naval Base since she was forced to return a coupling on its starboard propeller shaft broke, HampshireLive reports

Camilla arrives on board HMS Prince of Wales in Portsmouth

The Nato flagship reportedly broke down off the Isle of Wight in August, sailing to take part in flight trials in the US. She was subsquently forced to withdraw from her scheduled US deployment, with HMS Queen Elizabeth filling the void.

On Monday, it was announced that HMS Prince of Wales would be heading to Rosyth for repairs. However, that sailing was later postponed due to “ongoing preparatory diving work on her starboard shaft”.

The Navy has been approached for comment on why the timings for her departure have been changed.

A Royal Navy Spokesperson said at the time: “HMS Prince of Wales is preparing to sail to Rosyth, Scotland, to undergo repairs to her right propellor shaft. The full extent of the repairs will be known once the ship has entered dry dock. We are committed to getting HMS Prince of Wales back on operations, protecting the nation and our allies, as soon as possible.”

It comes after a Royal Navy frigate patrolled the North Sea amid efforts to protect underwater infrastructure following attacks on the Nord Stream pipelines.

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