THE ROYAL Navy’s First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Philip Jones, has spoken about how momentous the arrival of HMS Queen Elizabeth is, ahead of a visit to the new aircraft carrier later today by Prime Minister Theresa May.

He was speaking as the new pride of the Royal Navy fleet was being guided into her new berth at Portsmouth dockyard this morning.

Sir Philip said the arrival of the new aircraft carrier, the largest warship ever built for the Royal Navy, would be talked about for years to come.

He said: “In 50 years’ time, people will still talk about this day and the arrival of the new aircraft carrier.

“This is a culmination of achievement for the build programme and it is a triumph of national strategic ambition.

“The carrier strike group will be a powerful strategic statement and as the nation’s flagship, HMS Queen Elizabeth is the embodiment of Britain, in what we stand for and our status.”

He went on to describe the arrival of HMS Queen Elizabeth in Portsmouth as a proud moment for the city, the Royal Navy and the country and said building the new aircraft carriers showed Britain is “a confident, outward looking and ambitious nation.”

He also went on to thank the people of Portsmouth for their “forbearance and their support”, referring to the dredging work in the harbour and other works which have been carried out to allow the aircraft carrier to use Portsmouth as her home port.

Theresa May is expected to visit the Royal Navy dockyard later today to visit the new warship and meet some of her crew.