HMS Prince of Wales (R09)

One of the most powerful surface warships ever constructed in the UK, HMS Prince of Wales forms part of the Royal Navy‘s two-strong fleet of Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers.

Royal Marines band play in front of the HMS Prince of Wales aircraft carrier

Role

With an expected service life of up to 50 years, the floating cities of the Queen Elizabeth Class will be highly versatile and potent joint defence assets, able to meet the widest range of tasks around the world.

We see these ships as maritime platforms, adaptable and powerful, ready to deliver carrier strike missions, enforce no-fly zones, deploy Royal Marine Commandos, deliver humanitarian aid, and build international partnerships.

The ability to move 500 miles per day – combined with the speed and range of the F35 Lightning II – means these carriers can react at very short notice and make a real difference right around the globe. Find out all about how the Queen Elizabeth-class will equip us for the future here.

Capability

HMS Prince of wales is one of the most powerful surface warships ever constructed in the UK.

Her flight deck is 70 metres wide and 280 metres long – enough space for three football pitches – and she holds 45 days’ worth of food in stores.

She will have a crew complement (minimum crew) of around 700, increasing to around 1,600 with aircraft onboard.

HMS Prince of Wales’ size and scope is awe-inspiring – she can embark 36 F-35B and four Merlin Helicopters.

Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carrier

Crew

Led by Captain Will Blackett, HMS Prince of Wales’ crew will have an expansive range of skills, so she will be able to meet the widest range of tasks around the world, including:

Humanitarian relief, saving lives across the seven seas
High intensity warfighting
Fighting terrorism

Unit history

1770

1770s

The first Prince of Wales

1941

Battling the Bismark

Dispatched with HMS Hood to intercept the battleship Bismarck. Hood sunk, but the Prince of Wales prevailed, and scored hits that cut short the Bismarck’s sortie.

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