Q&A · 1:42:17-1:43:21

Possible names for Britain's guided-weapon cruisers

Duke of Edinburgh, Black Prince, and a broader Duke naming scheme are tested against Royal Navy naming practice.

Question

What might the planned British guided-weapon cruisers of the 1950s and 1960s have been named?

Short answer

A Duke class led by Duke of Edinburgh is plausible, with County names another defensible possibility.

Notes

Duke of Edinburgh is plausible for the cancelled guided-weapon cruiser, and the ships might have formed a Duke class. That pattern could include Prince of Wales, although the name seems especially likely for a carrier alongside Queen Elizabeth. A County-class naming scheme is also possible because the historical Counties filled the capability gap left by the cruiser cancellation. These are plausible conventions rather than a documented final list.