New ‘Prince Philip’ Royal Yacht is set to cost £200 million – and people aren’t impressed

Plans for a new royal yacht in memory of the late Duke of Edinburgh is due to be “commissioned within weeks,” according to reports.

The ship, which is expected to cost £200 million and be named HMS Prince Philip, will succeed the Royal Yacht Britannia, which was decommissioned in 1997.

The news comes after a number of Tory MPs voiced their support for a naval tribute to the Queen’s beloved husband, who passed away last month aged 99.

“The Duke of Edinburgh was well known for his love of Britannia,” Former Northern Powerhouse minister Jake Berry told The Sunday Telegraph. “It is a fitting tribute to now create a new royal yacht named the Duke of Edinburgh in his memory and for the Queen.”

But not everyone agrees.

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News that the yacht looks set to get the go-ahead hasn’t floated many Twitter users’ boats, with many insisting the seven-figures needed to pay for the memorial could be better spent:

Boris Johnson will formally announce plans for the national flagship over the coming weeks, according to The Sunday Telegraph.

It reports that the new ship will be the first official Government commemoration to Prince Philip and will be crewed by the Royal Navy.

The announcement – named Project Leith, after the Edinburgh area where the original HMY Britannia is moored – has reportedly been delayed by a row over whether the Ministry of Defence or Cabinet Office should pay for the ship.

Senior Government sources told the paper that the new royal yacht would promote British businesses overseas by sailing all over the world promoting UK interests.

It could also be used to host members of the Royal family on overseas visits, as well as diplomatic summits and talks.

However, it looks as though the Government may have to weather the storm of public opinion first.