'Woke nonsense!' Navy chiefs to rename submarine HMS Agincourt to avoid offending the French

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GB News
Georgina Cutler

By Georgina Cutler


Published: 27/01/2025

- 10:37

The decision to rebrand the under-construction hunter-killer submarine represents a U-turn in naval policy

Defence Secretary John Healey is seeking the King's approval to rename HMS Agincourt to HMS Achilles, in a move that has sparked controversy over concerns about offending the French.

The decision to rebrand the under-construction hunter-killer submarine represents a significant U-turn in naval policy.


Top military officials have settled on the name Achilles to avoid reminding the French of their historic defeat.

The submarine was set to be the sixth Royal Navy vessel to bear the name Agincourt, commemorating the historic 1415 battle victory.

HMS Agincourt

Top military officials have settled on the name Achilles to avoid reminding the French of their historic defeat

Getty

The battle saw English archers triumph despite being heavily outnumbered by French forces.

The name has held particular significance in British naval tradition, with five previous vessels carrying the Agincourt name.

Former Defence Secretary Grant Shapps had previously dismissed the proposed name change as "woke nonsense" when it was first suggested last year.

Shapps has strongly criticised the recent U-turn, telling The Sun: "Renaming the Agincourt is nothing short of sacrilege."

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He added: "This submarine carries a name that honours a defining moment in British history."

A Navy spokesperson defended the decision, stating: "We are proud of our nations rich military history and the many famous battles that the Royal Navy has played a part in."

The spokesperson added that the process began under the previous government, with changes to be announced through official channels.

They explained that a committee considers potential ship names based on historical information and potential civic affiliations.

\u200bDefence Secretary John Healey

Defence Secretary John Healey is seeking the King's approval to rename HMS Agincourt to HMS Achilles, in a move that has sparked controversy over concerns about offending the French

Getty

The name Agincourt holds deep cultural significance, particularly through Shakespeare's Henry V, famously portrayed by Kenneth Branagh in a 1989 film.

The battle inspired some of Shakespeare's most memorable lines, including "Once more unto the breach, dear friends."

The play also gave birth to the renowned quote "We few, we happy few, we band of brothers."

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