Q&A ยท 20:42-20:54

Are Royal Navy ships named for living monarchs?

Naming a warship for a living monarch has precedent, but modern practice generally favours former monarchs.

Question

Is it proper to name a warship after a living monarch?

Short answer

It has happened, but modern Royal Navy practice usually honours former monarchs instead.

Notes

Royal Navy ships have carried the names of living monarchs, though the practice is now rare. Modern names generally honour former rulers. A ship may refer to an earlier sovereign even when the reigning monarch shares the name.