The historical escort mission becomes a force-structure test for a modern national flagship. Earlier royal-yacht duties could draw on a first-rate Type 22 frigate or multiple Leander-class ships. With only eight Type 26 frigates planned in the example, assigning one to flagship escort duty would imply a ninth and probably a tenth hull. Maintenance cycles and competing tasks mean a permanent commitment usually requires more than one nominally available escort.
Notable Point · 51:28-53:10
A national flagship creates modern escort demand
Historic royal-yacht practice leads to a modern force-structure warning: a national flagship also requires enough prestigious escorts to guarantee availability.