Honour Royal Navy ship with Philip's name

CALLS for a new warship to be named after the Duke of Edinburgh are growing.

- Michael Knowles

Proud salute...Philip as a lieutenant in 1947

CALLS for a new warship to be named after the Duke of Edinburgh are growing.

Almost 15,000 people have backed a petition to name a new Type 26 frigate after him – a campaign the Daily Express is supporting.

A former First Sea Lord says it would be a “fitting tribute for an extraordinary life of service”. The Duke served in the Navy during the Second World War.

If the plan goes ahead, the ship would escort the aircraft carrier Queen Elizabeth around the world.

Backing the campaign, Former First Sea Lord, Admiral Lord Alan West, said “Everyone would know the ship has been named after him.

“As a Navy man, it would be a fitting tribute and a wonderful thing.

“Three of the Type 26 frigates are being built, the first of which is HMS Glasgow.

“The fourth ship to be built, of the group of five, should be the Duke of Edinburgh. That means it will come into service in 2030.

“And that also means one of his greatgrandchildren, even though they would still be quite young, could do the launch.