I do know that the CVF acquisition IPT leader expected a go/no go on the carriers in December 2004. Having done his bit, he has now left DPA (he was only ever a-very senior- temp) and gone back to industry.
So where are they?
Never mind the building (though if they go the same way as the LSD(A)s perhaps we should mind) consider the following (some already mentioned here). RASing (can this generation or planned RFAs provide?) aircraft, escorts, manning of those and availability, manning, training for and working up something we haven’t operated for 30 years (over 40 by the time they come into service-if ever).
The Yanks do things differently and with more bodies so perhaps not good mentors. The French may be closer to our way of operating (I don’t know-are they?) but they do it in French. I foresee a steep learning curve, economical steaming so not much flying, dockyard mateys and builders’ contractors everywhere still trying to get it right and lots of gapped billets around 2020, if ever.