Embarking the F-35 stealth fighter jets onto HMS Queen Elizabeth for flight trials next year will be the "final piece of the jigsaw", the ship's commanding officer has said.

Captain Jerry Kyd and his ship's company of around 700 plus 200 contractors, are currently carrying out the second phase of sea trials - putting the radios and radars on the £3 billion behemoth through their paces.

He said it has been a "very successful period" and that he hopes the 65,000-tonne vessel will soon return to Portsmouth.

Next year flight trials using the F-35 jets, Britain's new multimillion pound warplanes, will take place off the four-acre flight deck.

Pressed on how the crew are feeling ahead of that next step, Cpt Kyd said:

"We have worked so hard to get this ship to where it is now and built - but it is the final piece of the jigsaw - getting the aircraft embarked.

"The F35-B joint strike fighter is the pinnacle of what we have this aircraft carrier for. There is massive excitement, we can't wait to get on there in the United States next summer."

The Queen will formally commission Britain's biggest and most powerful warship into the Royal Navy next month.

She will embark on to her aircraft carrier namesake in December, the Defence Secretary has announced.

Whilst on board HMS Queen Elizabeth, the 280-metre, 65,000-tonne aircraft carrier, Gavin Williamson revealed the monarch will visit the ship for a formal ceremony on December 7th.