King Charles’ health and mental state came into question after the monarch renamed the HMS Agincourt submarine in a move widely dubbed “woke,” “pathetic” and unlike the cancer-hit monarch. The King went public with his cancer diagnosis last year after previously undergoing surgery to treat an enlarged prostate. He has spent the past year undergoing treatment for the condition while managing to keep up with his duties as the King of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth. It is in rendering of that very duty that Charles found himself at the receiving end of backlash this week after signing off on a declaration the British public deemed “woke nonsense,” and a sacrilege.
In his capacity as monarch, King Charles had a major influence in the renaming of the HMS Agincourt, a submarine still under construction, to HMS Achilles. The move followed concerns that the original name, which gave a nod to England’s outnumbered defeat of France in 1415, may upset the French. Hence, the decision, which could potentially avert a feud between the English and French nations clearly reflected the monarch’s quest for peace after the historic Hundred Years’ War.
King Charles Sparks Growing Health Concern Amid Controversial Submarine Renaming
However, Britains do not appear to see eye to eye with the king and the Ministry of Defence, making clear their preference for the original name. A former Tory defense minister Sir Gavin Williamson described this name change as woke and pathetic. One royal insider, who questioned King Charles’ health and mental state acknowledged that while renaming the submarine was a “woke move,” it wasn’t “very Charles.” The insider went on to explain that the unusual decision raises fears that the King, who is dealing with his cancer battle, may be losing his mind. The source divulged,
“There’s real fears he could be losing it with all is a cancer treatment and the wider issues within the royal circles. He should be concentration on his treatment and not getting involved in petty feuds like this.”
Ex-defence Secretary Ben Wallace also slammed the decision to rename HMS Agincourt, the sixth Navy vessel named after the infamous 1415 war, noting it only reflected a “pathetic grasp of policy.”
Former Nato commander Rear Admiral Chris Parry called it “craven political correctness and ideology gone mad.”
The Royal Navy Is Onboard With the New Name
Notably, the original submarine name HMS Agincourt was agreed upon under the late Queen Elizabeth II. However, King Charles, who continues battling his health condition, reportedly wanted a different name for the submarine. First proposed under the previous government, the name HMS Achilles was rejected as “woke nonsense,” but the proposal came to light again under Kaia Starmer’s Labor Party government, gaining approval.
The Royal Navy Ships Names and Badging committee proposed the new name, snagging the monarch’s approval this week. A Royal Navy Spokesperson, commending the name switch said in a statement,
“We are proud of our nation’s rich military history and the many famous battles fought. The seventh boat in the Astute class is to be called ‘Achilles’ – a name which is particularly appropriate this year as we mark the VE and VJ Day 80th anniversaries.”
The significant timelines marked the end of World War II, during which a previous HMS Achilles received battle honors. The royal family has failed to comment on the backlash, or comments questioning the health and mental state of King Charles amid his battle with cancer. With the name gaining the royal seal of approval though, no doubt it is here to stay.
