HMS Prince of Wales welcomed into Florida naval station for the first time

Britain's biggest warship, HMS Prince of Wales, has arrived in Florida as the Royal Navy vessel continues to strengthen ties with her allies on the other side of the Atlantic.

The 280-metre-long aircraft carrier only recently returned to action after nine months of repairs and will remain off the east coast of the United States until she returns to the UK in December.

More than 900 personnel assigned to the aircraft carrier have now arrived at US Naval Station Mayport in Jacksonville.

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'Welcome to the USA'

This is HMS Prince of Wales's first visit to Naval Station Mayport, and the aircraft carrier is expected to be in port for five days.

Naval Station Mayport, on X, formerly known as Twitter, highlighted the moment and said: "Today marked a moment in history for Naval Station Mayport, the HMS Prince of Wales (R09) made port at our pier for the first time.

"Welcome to the USA!"

The British Consulate General in Miami, representing the UK in Florida, said on X: "Her inaugural visit to the US will strengthen defence ties.

"Britain's newest and largest warship will spend time in to test new technologies and manoeuvres meant to revolutionise the way the Royal Navy operates Carrier Strike Groups."

The Royal Navy carrier is one of the most powerful surface warships ever constructed in the UK, measuring 280m by 70m and accommodating up to 1,600 crew members.

HMS Prince of Wales can hit a top speed of 25 knots and is set to go on a global deployment in 2025.

Personnel on board will be operating off the east coast of the US until Christmas, conducting experimental operations with their American counterparts involving F-35B Lightning stealth fighters, MV-Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft and Mojave drones.

Earlier this month, a supply drone safely landed on the Royal Navy aircraft carrier in a first for naval operations.

The Southampton-based W Autonomous Systems (WAS) drone flew from the Lizard Peninsula and onto the deck of HMS Prince of Wales off the Cornish coast.

It delivered supplies, and then returned to the Lizard after completing its milestone flight.

The ultimate goal of this experimental flight is to develop the ability to deploy drones within a UK Carrier Strike Group so they can work alongside F-35B Lightning jets as well as Merlin and Wildcat helicopters.