Britannia replacement to be unveiled ahead of Platinum Jubilee
THE final design for the new national flagship – seen as a replacement for the royal yacht Britannia – will be unveiled ahead of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
A new national shipbuilding strategy, published today, states the plans for the £250million ship will “showcase cutting-edge British shipbuilding, engineering and technology, particularly clean maritime technologies”.
Officials hope the grand reveal – between local elections on May 5 and the start of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee on June 2 – will be seen as a restatement of the ship’s “values and business case”.
The announcement came as the Duchess of Cornwall launched a mission to find “Platinum Champions” – the unsung volunteers who form the “backbone of this country”. The Royal Voluntary Service (RVS) will honour 70 “truly special people” to mark the Queen’s 70 years on the throne, calling for the public to nominate those who change lives through selflessness and generosity.
The Duchess, who is patron of the RVS, will host the winners at a special Big Jubilee Lunch on June 5. “We want to thank and recognise all of those truly special people that are making a real difference to our communities with their kindness and generosity,” she said.
“I believe it is these volunteers, enhancing the lives of others, that are the backbone of this country.”
The RVS is inviting the public to nominate volunteers in one of seven categories: older people; children; crisis and welfare; community; mental health; physical health; and supporting the NHS and social care.
Catherine Johnstone, the RVS chief executive, said: “Volunteers are among the millions of selfless people providing life-transforming support to others all over the country, every day.”
Nominations can be made on the RVS website, and close on April 10. Entries will be judged on “impact on the lives of others, dedication to volunteering and on how much they inspire others”.
They will be reviewed by a panel of experienced volunteers, charity leaders, academics and celebrities.
The 70 winners will also receive a Platinum Champions pin.