The Queen's heartbreaking reason for turning down this massive honour for Prince Philip

Queen Elizabeth II arrives to greet the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al Thani to her Windsor residence on October 26, 2010 in Windsor, England
(Image credit: Photo by Dan Kitwood - WPA Pool /Getty Images)

The Queen has reportedly turned down a massive honour for her late husband Prince Philip, but it’s been claimed she had a very poignant reason for doing so.

The Queen is understood to have turned down an offer to name a new national vessel in honour of her late husband Prince Philip. The Queen and Prince Philip were married for 73 years and his sad passing at Windsor Castle in April changed the Royal Family as we know it. The sight of Her Majesty sitting alone, though not in the front row, of St George’s Chapel for his funeral deeply moved many royal fans. 

Despite having now returned to royal duties, the Queen continues to grieve him. She is also said to have been offered the opportunity to have a new ship named in memory of Philip.

Queen Elizabeth II watches as pallbearers carry the coffin of Prince Philip, Duke Of Edinburgh into St George’s Chapel by the pallbearers during the funeral of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh at Windsor Castle on April 17, 2021 in Windsor, United Kingdom

However, it’s now been claimed by royal biographer Angela Levin that Her Majesty decided against accepting this for a very significant reason. 

Speaking on TalkRADIO, Angela remarked: “First of all, the Royal Family wasn’t involved at all in how it was built and how it was constructed and I think to be suddenly given the opportunity to have it named after her husband, she would’ve wanted to be involved to make sure it was something he approved of because of course he was outstanding when he was in the navy.”

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh served in the Royal Navy for 12 years, before his active naval career came to an end in 1951. In a wonderful tribute to his distinguished naval career, his Royal Naval Officer’s sword and cap were placed upon his coffin on the day of his funeral.

A Bearer Party of Grenadier Guards carry Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh's coffin (draped in his Royal Standard Flag and bearing his Royal Navy cap, sword and a bouquet of lilies, white roses, freesia and sweet peas) out of the State Entrance of Windsor Castle ahead of his funeral procession to St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle on April 17, 2021 in Windsor

By request of the Duke of Edinburgh, Royal Marines buglers were also given the honour of sounding The Last Post and Action Stations at the service.

It is incredibly moving to think that the Queen could have possibly turned down the offer to have a new royal ship named after Philip out of a desire to be completely sure he would’ve approved of its entire construction. Whilst this is very poignant, Angela also shared her thoughts on a few other possible reasons for the Queen's decision.

“I think this is quite a canny decision because the comment from Buckingham Palace has been that it's too grand and I think this absolutely signals that the Royal Family now know they need to be careful with their spending,” she speculated. 

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh hold hands as they leave a Service of Commemoration to mark the end of combat operations in Afghanistan at St Paul's Cathedral on March 13, 2015 in London, England

And Angela also expressed her belief that it is unlikely to be used by the Royal Family in the same way as some Royal Yachts such as the Royal Yacht Britannia have been. 

"Thirdly it was used very much for honeymoons and holidays, and in the Summer the Royal Family would go around all the little islands near Scotland on their way to stay in Scotland for the Summer," she explained.

"This generation, the new generation of the Royal Family don't want to go on a cruise around the islands, they want to travel in the way that they want to do."

This new national flagship will be crewed by the Royal Navy and it's expected to be in service for around thirty years.

Emma Shacklock
Senior Lifestyle Writer

Emma is a Senior Lifestyle Writer with six years of experience working in digital publishing, ranging from book publishing to magazines. She currently looks after all things Lifestyle for Woman&Home, Goodto.com, and My Imperfect Life.