St. Kitts joined the 5th Destroyer Flotilla of the Home Fleet upon commission. In 1948, St. Kitts deployed to the Arctic to join the carrier HMS Vengeance, along with a variety of other ships, including other Battle-class destroyer during experiments in that region. In 1953, St. Kitts took part in the large Fleet Review at Spithead to celebration the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. St. Kitts was positioned in the middle of her sister-ships HMS Camperdown and HMS Barfleur. St. Kitts was subsequently placed in Reserve.