HMS Prince of Wales fails to depart for Nato exercises

The HMS Prince of Wales, a Royal Navy aircraft carrier, did not leave Portsmouth for a Nato drill, following a similar withdrawal by its counterpart, HMS Queen Elizabeth, due to a technical issue last week.

Scheduled to participate in Exercise Steadfast Defender, a major Nato cold-war scale exercise, the £3 billion carrier's departure has been postponed, and Portsmouth's harbor has resumed normal operations.

Despite preparations and an eager audience, the vessel stayed put, just days after the HMS Queen Elizabeth experienced propeller problems. Despite past mechanical issues with both ships, the Ministry of Defence claims they are unrelated. The HMS Prince of Wales underwent nine-month repairs in Rosyth.

The MoD, which secured the area for the anticipated departure, will issue a follow-up announcement.