The public will want to contribute towards a royal yacht named after the Duke of Edinburgh

SIR – I heartily agree with Charles Moore (Comment, April 13) that we should have a new royal yacht. What better way to celebrate the wonderful life of the Duke of Edinburgh?

It would be a fitting tribute to his dedication to our Queen and country. He sacrificed what would undoubtedly have been a distinguished career in the Royal Navy.

Name the ship the Duke of Edinburgh.

A fund for members of the public to contribute to costs would allow us some expression of thanks for his life of service.

Kathleen Bass

Norwich

SIR – A more sensible memorial for the Duke of Edinburgh than a soonneglected statue or not very useful royal yacht might be to name a new class of Royal Navy ships after him – perhaps the (still rather mysterious) Type 32 frigates.

A man who once grumbled that he could not give his name to his own children might have liked the spectacle of (say) HMS Duke of Edinburgh, HMS Philip, HMS Mountbatten, HMS Matapan and HMS Sicily at sea, doing a job of work for the Navy and the nation.

Nicholas Shrimpton

Charlbury, Oxfordshire

SIR – The Government’s recent integrated review outlined plans to build a multi-role ocean surveillance ship for the Royal Navy. How appropriate it would be if such a ship were to be named HMS Duke of Edinburgh.

The only previous ship of that name, a cruiser (1904-20), was named after Admiral of the Fleet HRH Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh, the second son of Queen Victoria.

Lieutenant Colonel JRA Ward (retd) London E12

SIR – British monarchy and constitutional stability owe an immense debt to the Duke of Edinburgh. In his childhood, he experienced the impoverished consequences of the failure of the major continental monarchies, of which he was a marginal figure.

At Salem he saw the consequences of reaction leading to fascism. He saw first hand the results if monarchies fail to adapt to the contemporary world.

On becoming the consort of our own Sovereign he saw it as his duty and destiny to guide the British monarchy quietly into the modern world. In the process, he strengthened the monarchy and our democratic stability – and we owe him a debt far greater than we may realise.

Jacques Arnold

West Malling, Kent

SIR – According to the Duke’s wishes, there is no wet-weather programme for his funeral.

Fifty years ago, as a junior RAF officer, I was nominated as umbrellaholder for him during the Queen’s visit to York. It started to rain and, as I unfurled the brolly, an equerry spotted me and advised me, sensibly I now realise, to steer well clear of the Duke. Wg Cdr Roger Lindley (retd) Tetbury, Gloucestershire

SIR – My sister recalls an occasion when the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh visited Bromley on a very cold day. An elderly neighbour, determined not to miss out, was wheeled out in her chair to the event wrapped in tin foil to keep warm.

“Ah,” said the Duke on passing her, “I see you’re oven-ready.”

Sheila Farrell

Ash, Surrey

SIR – Thanks to the article on how Prince Philip stayed fit for life (Features, April 12), I decided to make Scotch woodcock – often served as a savoury instead of a pudding.

My husband and I are very grateful to have been reminded of this delicious supper dish on a Monday night when there wasn’t much left in the fridge. Jane Reed

London SW10