Ships fit for a Duke of Edinburgh: a history
A brush-up for HMS Duke of Edinburgh, shortly after surviving the Battle of Jutland
Credit: The Montifraulo Collection/Getty
This idea has a precedent. The first HMS Duke of Edinburgh was named in accordance with the wishes of King Edward VII, to honour his younger brother Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh following his sudden death in 1900.
In contrast to Prince Philip, who had to abandon his naval career to support the Queen, Prince Alfred was able to pursue his career, which culminated in his appointment as the Commander-in-Chief, Devonport, from 1890 to 1893 in the rank of admiral. He was promoted to admiral of the fleet on June 3 1893 and became the reigning Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha that August.