Thousands of military personnel have returned home in time for Christmas as the Royal Navy's flagship and its support ships concluded an eight-month global deployment. The homecoming, the largest in two decades, saw families and friends gather at Portsmouth and Plymouth to welcome back loved ones after the ships sailed 40,000 nautical miles as part of Operation Highmast. The deployment involved over 2,500 personnel from Britain, Norway, Canada, and Spain, and included diplomatic visits and exercises with allies across the Mediterranean, Middle East, and Indo-Pacific regions. Defence leaders praised the mission for strengthening partnerships and showcasing Britain's commitment to global security, while families expressed joy and relief at being reunited for the festive season.