RNLI Names New Lifeboat ‘Duke of Edinburgh’ in Tribute to Prince Philip
Honouring a Royal Maritime Legacy
The RNLI is set to launch its latest state-of-the-art Shannon class lifeboat, ON1346, proudly named Duke of Edinburgh to honour Prince Philip. The Duke, who died aged 99 on 9 April 2021, had a lifelong dedication to maritime services and staunch support for the RNLI and the Queen.
Royal Ties Run Deep
The Queen has been Patron of the RNLI since 1952, while Prince Philip joined its Council in 1972. The royal couple visited numerous lifeboat stations over the decades, with their last joint appearance at Cowes Lifeboat Station in 2012 for a boat-naming ceremony.
The announcement comes exactly 71 years after Prince Philip’s first naval command, the HMS Magpie, in 1950 — a fitting tribute to his seafaring roots.
Royal Touches and Local Pride
Earlier this summer, The Prince of Wales added a personal touch by affixing a magpie-engraved plate to the new lifeboat during its construction at the RNLI All-weather Lifeboat Centre in Poole, Dorset.
The Duke of Edinburgh lifeboat will go into service in late 2022 at Wells-next-the-Sea, just miles from Sandringham, the Norfolk estate where Philip spent his later years.
RNLI and Donors Celebrate
RNLI chief executive Mark Dowie said: “It’s a great honour, not just for Wells Lifeboat Station but for the RNLI as a whole. We hoped to mark The Duke’s long service and support by naming a lifeboat after him in his 100th year. We were pleased he was happy about the plans and that the boat serves a community near Sandringham. Sadly, he passed before seeing this, but this tribute celebrates his legacy.”
Wells Lifeboat Operations Manager Chris Hardy added: “We’re immensely proud and honoured. The lifeboat will continue the life-saving work His Royal Highness was passionate about.”
This new vessel is the 53rd funded by civil servant donations to The Lifeboat Fund during its 150th anniversary appeal. Sir Jeremy Fleming, Chair of The Lifeboat Fund and Director of GCHQ, stated: “It’s the second lifeboat at Wells with royal links – the first was the Royal Silver Jubilee (1936-1945). This one is especially fitting.”
