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Navy rebrands HMS Agincourt to appease French

Sam Marks as Henry V to commemorate the 600th anniversary of Agincourt. Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images

Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more. Trump might be back in the White House but here in Whitehall, woke remains the prevailing orthodoxy. Officials have reportedly now approved a Royal Navy request to change the name of HMS Agincourt to avoid offending the French. Yes, that’s right: military triumph is now apparently something to be ashamed of in Labour Britain. No wonder they don’t want to hike defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP….

The vessel in question is an Astute-class submarine which in 2018 became the fleet’s sixth vessel to be named after the 1415 English victory over the French in the Battle of Agincourt. In a post late on Sunday evening, the Royal Navy announced the ship would be renamed HMS Achilles, subject to approval by the King. It added the decision had been made ‘in light of the 80th anniversaries this year of VE and VJ Day’, when many French and British troops fought alongside each other.

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Steerpike

Steerpike is The Spectator's gossip columnist, serving up the latest tittle tattle from Westminster and beyond. Email tips to steerpike@spectator.co.uk or message @MrSteerpike

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