HMS Prince Philip gets the go-ahead: New £200million national flagship will ‘boost British trade and investment’ in commemoration of Duke of Edinburgh
- New national flagship costing up to £200m is to be named after Prince Philip
- Reports said ship would boost British trade and drive investment in UK economy
- Sparked speculation vessel would be seen as successor to Royal Yacht Britannia
- The Royal Yacht was controversially decommissioned by Tony Blair in 1997
A new national flagship costing up to £200 million is to be named after the Duke of Edinburgh, it was claimed last night.
Reports said the ship was expected to be named HMS Prince Philip and would boost British trade and drive investment in the UK’s economy.
The claims sparked speculation that the new vessel would be seen as a successor to the Royal Yacht Britannia, controversially decommissioned by Tony Blair in 1997.
But a Number 10 spokesman stressed last night there were no plans for a new Royal yacht.
They also declined to comment on reports that an announcement by Boris Johnson could come within weeks.
A new national flagship costing up to £200 million is to be named after the Duke of Edinburgh, it was claimed last night. Pictured: Prince Phillip onboard HMS Ranger in 2015
The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh leave the Royal Yacht Britannia for the last time in 1997
But they said: ‘The Prime Minister has an exciting vision for shipbuilding in this country and is committed to making the UK a shipbuilding superpower.
‘We are always looking for new ways to promote Global Britain around the world, driving investment back to the UK and delivering value for money for the British people.’
According to The Sunday Telegraph, the new ship would be crewed by the Royal Navy.
The newspaper added that the vessel would be the first official Government commemoration of Prince Philip who died last month.
Reports said the ship was expected to be named HMS Prince Philip and would boost British trade and drive investment in the UK’s economy. Pictured: Prince Philip aboard the motor boat which took him to join the ship, HMS Chequers in 1949
The announcement – dubbed Project Leith, after the Edinburgh district where the original yacht is moored as a tourist attraction – has reportedly been held up by an argument over which Government department would foot the hefty bill, the Ministry of Defence or the Cabinet Office.
But it would be seen as a fitting tribute to the Duke, who was Lord High Admiral from 2011 and who played a key role in the commissioning and design of Britannia.
Senior Government sources reportedly said the new flagship could promote UK businesses overseas by mooring near international trade fairs, hosting high-level trade negotiations.