Royal Navy flagship HMS Queen Elizabeth set sail for the US from Portsmouth this morning to much fanfare in place of her sister ship HMS Prince of Wales, which broke down off the Isle of Wight.
Britain s crown jewel faced embarrassment on the world stage last week after the £3billion warship ground to a halt off the Isle of Wight because a starboard propeller shaft failed.
HMS Queen Elizabeth, pictured, will stand in for its beleaguered sister ship during its landmark diplomatic mission after the HMS Prince of Wales humiliatingly broke down.
The HMS Prince of Wales broke down less than hours after setting sail to undertake training exercises with the US Navy and Marine Corps and the Royal Canadian Navy.
ADMIRAL LORD WEST OF SPITHEAD: The British military and Europe s forces are in a parlous state with insufficient numbers. Putin thinks the West is weak and has no stomach for confrontation.