The UK’s largest warship has left the Solent, sailing past the Isle of Wight on its way out of Portsmouth, to a NATO task force exercise off Norway.

The aircraft carrier will be the command ship in Exercise Cold Response, a large-scale Norwegian-led deployment involving 35,000 troops from 28 nations.

HMS Prince of Wales is responsible for leading NATO’s Maritime High Readiness Force – an international task group formed to deal with major global events.

The Royal Navy says the exercise will show how a unified force would defend Norway and Europe’s northern flank.

Isle of Wight County Press: On board HMS Prince of Wales (photo by Royal Navy/Sam Bannister).On board HMS Prince of Wales (photo by Royal Navy/Sam Bannister).

On board is Rear Admiral Mike Utley, who will lead a sizeable task force as part of a galvanized NATO effort for peace and stability in Europe, the Royal Navy revealed.

Rear Admiral Utley said: "NATO is the cornerstone of the UK defence and our commitment to the alliance is absolute.

"It is a privilege to be the UK Maritime Component Commander as we participate in this Norwegian-led exercise."

What will be on exercise alongside Portsmouth's HMS Prince of Wales?

Warships, aircraft, a nuclear-powered attack submarine and a Royal Fleet Auxiliary replenishment vessel will also be on scene, to defend HMS Prince of Wales against threats above, below and on the water.

It will be the first time one of the Royal Navy’s new Queen Elizabeth-class carriers has operated in the Arctic.

The 65,000 tonne aircraft carrier has been in Portsmouth since February after exercises at sea.

Isle of Wight County Press: On board HMS Prince of Wales (photo by Royal Navy/Sam Bannister).On board HMS Prince of Wales (photo by Royal Navy/Sam Bannister).

Leading Airman (Aircraft Handler) Josh Thomason said: "I’m looking forward to operating in the extreme cold weather. We are prepared as a team to operate with different aircraft in these harsh conditions and are looking forward to the challenges this will bring."

Commanding Officer, Captain Steve Higham, said: "It is a source of pride for all our sailors to be working with the NATO staff under Rear Admiral Utley as the NATO Command Ship.

"As we sail to meet up with other NATO units taking part in Cold Response in Norway, the team in HMS Prince of Wales is ready to deliver as a Command Ship for NATO in the most challenging of environments."