Armed and exposed in hostile waters: The Royal Navy's bold push east to the Red Sea

Carrier Strike Group 25 has successfully transited one of the most dangerous shipping routes in the world, as part of its deployment eastwards.

Images released by the Royal Navy show HMS Prince of Wales travelling through the Suez Canal and later passing into the Red Sea.

The Suez Canal is a key route for international trade, connecting the Mediterranean and the Red Sea and Indian Ocean, and is so narrow that ships from the CSG25 group had to pass through in single file.

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HMS Prince of Wales also conducted a replenishment at sea, effectively resupply and refuelling, with Norwegian tanker HNoMS Maud in the northern Red Sea.

It is believed HNoMS Maud is now detached from CSG25.

The CSG25 then sailed along the coast of Yemen and into the southern part of the Red Sea, known as the Bab-el-Mandeb (BAM).

The BAM is one of the most dangerous stretches of water for international shipping.

Houthi rebels operating out of Yemen have used the mountainous terrain and narrow channel, which is just 30 kilometres across at its narrowest point, to launch multiple attacks on vessels which have passed through this area.

During the BAM transit, the ships would likely have been at the highest state of readiness, so that means on defence watches and even at action stations in the highest threat areas.

The carrier strike group made the decision to boost firepower significantly to ensure a successful passage.

US Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Truxtun led the group, followed by the Norwegian frigate HNoMS Roald Amundsen.

Then came the Royal Navy's Type 45 destroyer HMS Dauntless, leading the carrier HMS Prince of Wales.

Behind them was the Type 23 HMS Richmond and the Spanish ship ESPS Méndez Núñez bringing up the rear.

The extreme sensitivity of the area meant none of the UK or foreign ships in the CSG25 were able to release video or post on social media about their location during their time there.

This section of the deployment marks the first time HMS Prince of Wales has operated east of Suez.