Gavin Williamson hails super warship on its arrival in New York

The £3.1 billion warship – the biggest in the British naval fleet – anchored in the Hudson River around two miles from Manhattan on last week and hosted several major national and international events in the city.

The 65,000-tonne carrier, which had 1,500 military personnel on board, was the biggest warship to dock in New York for more than 50 years.

Visiting the ship, Defence Secretary Mr Williamson, the MP for South Staffordshire, said: "HMS Queen Elizabeth is a symbol of our commitment to our security and the security of our allies.

"Her entry into New York harbour demonstrates that our Armed Forces are ready to stand by our allies."

HMS Queen Elizabeth commanding officer, Captain Jerry Kyd, added: "I am delighted and proud to have brought HMS Queen Elizabeth into New York Harbour for the first time.

"This visit is very symbolic of the intimate relationship the Royal Navy has with the US Navy and Marine Corps and comes at the midway point in the F-35 flight trials.

"We have over 170 embarked US staff at the moment on board in support."

The air wing of HMS Queen Elizabeth – which also boasts a chapel, a medical centre and a dentist – is set to feature a permanent combination of British and American jets.

Starting in 2021, US Marine Corps will operate their warplanes from the vessel. It has enough space for 36 of the cutting-edge F-35 jets.

In New York the warship hosted a special Trafalgar Day dinner, which celebrates the victory of Britain and Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson over the combined French and Spanish fleets at the Battle of Trafalgar on October 21, 1805.

During his visit, Mr Williamson also visited the 9/11 Memorial, which he described as 'a truly moving experience and one that I will never forget'.