In a galaxy not so far away: Exclusive photographs reveal that the Millennium Falcon has touched down in England as Star Wars VIII is filmed at Pinewood Studios

Star War's most iconic spaceship was spotted on set at Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire as filming continues
Photos showed the famous aircraft next to a huge set which closely resembles world seen at end of Star Wars VII
Filming began on the next installment in February, while the film had its release date pushed back to December 2017

Photos have revealed that Star Wars most famous spaceship has touched down in London.

The Millennium Falcon was spotted for the first time this summer as the highly-anticipated Star Wars VIII is filmed at Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire.

Photographs showed the famous aircraft next to a huge set which closely resembles the world that Rey, played by Daisy Ridley, visited at the end of last summer's Star Wars VII when she finally tracked down missing Jedi Luke Skywalker.

A second set was set built up near that of the Millennium Falcon, but it is unknown at this stage what the intended setting will be, with fans of the franchise going into rumour-mill overdrive online as they face a long wait until the film is finally released.

But while little is known about the plot of the next chapter of the galaxy spanning saga, these new photos of filming give a snippet into what fans can expect to see in the follow up to The Force Awakens

Principal photography began on the next installment in February, but was pushed back earlier this year around the same time the release date was changed from May to December 2017.

Since filming began on February 10 and April 28 marks the halfway point, filmmakers are apparently expecting the 22 week shoot to wrap on July 15.

Star Wars Episode VIII is being directed by Looper's Rian Johnson, while Episode IX will fall to Jurassic World's Colin Trevorrow.

The as-yet-unnamed next installment is set for release on December 15, 2017. The entire surviving cast will return from The Force Awakens, while Benicio Del Toro, Laura Dern and Kelly Marie Tran have been added to the lineup.

Prince William and Prince Harry showed that the force is with them as they engaged in a brotherly duel with a pair of light sabers as they toured the set at Pinewood Studios earlier this month.

The pair admitted that they are ‘huge fans’ of the legendary Star Wars films as they toured the set of the latest installment in the franchis

Harry looked bemused, however, as his light saber turned red as he switched it on and asked his brother plaintively: 'Why do I always have to be the baddy?'

The highlight of their hour-long visit was getting the chance to fight each other with the film's legendary light-sabers as well as meeting Luke Skywalker himself - Mark Hamill - Chewbacca and new characters Finn and Rey.

William admitted that he was 'total geek' when it came to the films and he and Harry couldn't hide their delight as they got to pose with Hamill and Chewbacca, played by Joonas Suotamo, who at seven foot six in his costume towered over the two princes who are both six foot plus.

Harry even got a bear hug from 'Chewie', as did William - leading Hamill to remark: 'If I went towards royalty with my arms outstretched I would get arrested - but there's something about a Wookie that means you just wanted to be hugged.'