This year will be the start of a “new era of maritime power” for Britain, as the Royal Navy’s new aircraft carrier leaves its shipyard and begins sea trials, the Defence Secretary has said.

The 65,000-tonne HMS Queen Elizabeth will begin trials in the North Sea in March, before moving to its new home in Portsmouth later in the year.

Its sister ship, HMS Prince of Wales, will enter the water for the first time in the summer in Rosyth as work on her continues.