HMS Queen Elizabeth passes under Forth Bridge ahead of sea trials

The 65,000-tonne vessel had been at anchor in the Firth of Forth after leaving Rosyth dockyard on Sunday.

The ship docked in Rosyth in July 2025.

Temporary airspace restrictions are in place over the Firth of Forth during the operation, limiting drone activity until 11pm on Friday, April 24.

HMS Queen Elizabeth heading out to sea after leaving Rosyth, Fife (Image: PA)

The HMS Queen Elizabeth sails under the Forth Rail Bridge (Image: Laura-Jane Gelston)

Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth. (Image: PA)

The restricted zone covers the Forth Bridge, Queensferry Crossing and Forth Road Bridge.

The aircraft carrier has strong links to Rosyth, where it was assembled before being formally named by the late Queen Elizabeth in 2014.

Named after Tudor monarch Queen Elizabeth I, the vessel can carry up to 60 aircraft and is one of the largest warships ever built for the Royal Navy.