New lifeboat named in honour of Duke

THE Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) is naming a new lifeboat in honour of the Duke of Edinburgh.

The state-of-the-art Shannon class “Duke of Edinburgh” boat (ON1346) will go into service in late 2022 at Wells-next-the-sea, just a short distance from Sandringham, the Queen’s private estate in Norfolk where Philip spent much of his retirement.

Philip, who died in April two months before his 100th birthday, gave up a successful naval career to devote his life to royal duties, but was known for his longstanding commitment to maritime services and his love of the sea.

The Duke was told before his death of the plans, which were due to be unveiled to celebrate his centenary.

He was said to have been “pleased” at the decision.

The naming pays tribute to both his dedication to maritime services and his lifetime support of the Queen, the RNLI said.

Chief executive Mark Dowie said: “It’s a great honour, not just for

Wells Lifeboat Station but for the RNLI as a whole.

“We had hoped to mark the Duke of Edinburgh’s long service and support for the maritime sector by naming a lifeboat in his honour in his 100th year.

“We heard that the Duke was pleased to learn of the plans to name a lifeboat after him and that it was going to be serving a community so close to Sandringham.

“We are delighted to pay tribute to his legacy in this way today.”

The announcement was made 71 years to the day that Philip took charge of HMS Magpie in 1950 – his very first sea-going command.