 "Sovereign" underwent an extensive refit in the mid-1990s and was rededicated in January 1997.Cracks were discovered in the tailshaft during post-refit sea trials and she was sent to Rosyth for 14 weeks of emergency repairs in June 1998 before returning to Faslane.On 6 March 2000 "Sceptre" suffered a serious accident while inside a drydock at the Rosyth yards while undergoing trials towards the end of a major refit.