HMS Prince of Wales Makes Landmark Entry into Darwin in Historic UK Naval Visit
HMS Prince of Wales, the Royal Navy’s mighty flagship, made a dramatic entrance into Darwin Harbour this week, marking a pivotal moment in UK-Australia defence ties.
For the first time in nearly 30 years, a British aircraft carrier has dropped anchor in Australian waters. The last time was back in 1997, when HMS Illustrious visited Fremantle during Operation Ocean Wave. This time, it’s different. It’s bigger. It’s bolder.
Jets of water arced high from local tugboats as they saluted the arrival of the carrier, while the Union Jack fluttered atop its expansive deck.
Upon arrival, the crew received a warm, deeply cultural welcome. “Welcome to Country,” offered by the Larrakia people, Darwin’s traditional custodians, was held on the jetty.
A powerful gesture, blending ceremony and heritage, acknowledging the significance of the moment and the land.
The stop in Darwin forms a crucial part of the UK Carrier Strike Group’s active deployment to the Indo-Pacific.
HMS Prince of Wales, at the heart of this formation, has been front and centre during Talisman Sabre 2025, Australia’s largest military exercise of the year.
This massive drill involves approximately 35,000 personnel drawn from 19 allied and partner nations. Stretching from Darwin to Brisbane and even touching Papua New Guinea, the scale is immense. And the UK’s involvement? Unmissable.
For the past few weeks, HMS Prince of Wales has been manoeuvring off Australia’s northern coastline. At times, it joined forces with the USS George Washington and its strike group. Together, they projected an unmistakable image of naval strength and allied cooperation.
In a further display of collaboration, the British flattop also welcomed the US Marine Corps on board.
“MV-22 Osprey aircraft landed on the carrier’s deck,” officials confirmed, signalling more joint operations to come, including USMC F-35B stealth jets integrating with their British counterparts later in the mission.
Talisman Sabre continues until early August. Its purpose? To bolster military ties, enhance operational coordination, and underscore a shared commitment to Indo-Pacific peace and security.
This Australian leg is just one chapter in a broader journey. The UK Carrier Strike Group, led by HMS Prince of Wales, is currently navigating Operation Highmast, the Royal Navy’s marquee 2025 deployment.
This eight-month mission spans the Mediterranean to the Indo-Pacific, strengthening bonds with allies, reinforcing the UK’s global presence, and promoting British industry and defence.
Altogether, the operation involves over 4,500 British personnel. Of those, 2,500 are Royal Navy sailors and Royal Marines, alongside 900 British Army troops and 600 from the RAF.
In many ways, HMS Prince of Wales is more than just a ship. She’s a floating symbol of Britain’s evolving strategy — one that places emphasis on meaningful partnerships, regional security, and the freedom of the seas.
And in Darwin, that strategy just got a lot more real.
