HMS Queen Elizabeth: Royal Navy's 'Big Liz' waves goodbye to New York City after week-long visit

The £3.1bn Royal Navy aircraft carrier will be sailing out of the Big Apple today (October 26) to continue her historic flight tests. 

She arrived in New York City last Friday (October 19) and hosted national and international events during the week including a visit from Pompey director Eric Eisner. 

In a tweet the crew thanked the city for its hospitality saying: '˜#NYC thank you; you have been amazing! @NYGov

'˜We leave today in order to re-embark the logistics and prep for bringing @thef35 back onboard for Deck Trials 2.

'˜From the big city to big deck fast jets; it really is a fantastic time to be representing #GlobalBritain' 

Here's what you need to know about what she is doing next: 

What is HMS Queen Elizabeth's next voyage? 

The Royal Navy will be continuing her journey on the East Coast of America '“ before returning to Portsmouth later this year. 

She will be carrying out deck trials II - continuing the historic flight tests that saw F-35 land on her decks for the first time and the first jet flying from the carrier drop test bombs. 

Speaking about the recent flight tests, the outgoing HMS Queen Elizabeth CO Captain Jerry Kyd added: '˜It has been a superb effort by everyone across the Integrated Test Force and HMS Queen Elizabeth so far '“ I could not be more pleased with the team spirit and dynamism shown by all.

'That has delivered a volume of quality data which has put us well ahead of where we expected to be at this stage.

'˜I am very grateful to all the Integrated Test Force folk who have been focused, professional and willing to go the extra mile.'

What have they done on flight tests? 

HMS Queen Elizabeth's historic flight trials will resume with far more achieved in the first three weeks than anticipated.

So far there have been:

- 98 take-offs using the ski ramp

- the first '˜rolling' landing, bringing the F-35 to a stop on the flight deck instead of the aircraft dropping down vertically

- night flying

- and even some rough weather trials to begin pushing the conditions in which the carrier can operate her air power safely.

When is HMS Queen Elizabeth due back in Portsmouth? 

The Royal Navy won't confirm exact movements of the warship.  

Although it is dependent on sea and weather conditions, the hope is that HMS Queen Elizabeth will be back in Portsmouth in December.

And if all goes as planned, the carrier will be back in her home port before Christmas '“ meaning it should be a very happy festival period for the crew and their families.