HMS Queen Elizabeth returns to Portsmouth in preparation for autumn deployment

HMS Queen Elizabeth has arrived back in Portsmouth after a deployment to the United States where the aircraft carrier was deputising for her broken-down sister ship HMS Prince of Wales.

The 65,000-tonne Royal Navy flagship was sent to the US early last month to provide a floating home for the Atlantic Future Forum – a two-day event aimed at strengthening ties between the UK and US in defence and beyond.

The fleet flagship has been away for just over a month – but the shortness of separation did not deter families and friends who wanted to welcome her home, with many lining the harbour walls and the Round Tower in Portsmouth as she arrived at the port.

HMS Queen Elizabeth stepped into the breach for the trip to New York after the failure of HMS Prince of Wales which had been due to host the Atlantic forum but broke down off the Isle of Wight, just miles after setting off.

Watch: Real-life 'Iron Men' made a flying entrance onto HMS Queen Elizabeth whilst in New York.

Speakers and dignitaries at the forum included First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Ben Key, Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, and Chief of the General Staff General Sir Patrick Sanders.

The ship and its crew spent a week in New York, and they left their mark with a flash mob performance from the Royal Marines Band at Grand Central Station.

Royal Navy officers were also invited to watch the New York Mets, and 20 crew were welcomed onto the pitch at MetLife Stadium ahead of the New York Jets American football match with the Cincinnati Bengals.

The ship's crest was displayed on the big screen, visible to 80,000 fans.

HMS Queen Elizabeth will only be in Portsmouth for a brief time before heading out on her next deployment.

The carrier is due to sail again this autumn and will be at the heart of a powerful task group made up of thousands of sailors, up to 10 ships, F-35B Lightning jets, helicopter squadrons and Royal Marines Commandos which will operate across Europe.

The ship will primarily be focused on operations in the Baltic and work closely with forces from Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden.

The mission is a strong message of unity in the face of ongoing Russian aggression.