Boris Johnson considers spending £200million on a ship named after Prince Philip

Boris Johnson is considering spending £200 million on a new ‘national flagship’ named after Prince Phillip, it has been reported.

The costly vessel would be tasked with boosting British trade overseas by mooring near international trade fairs, as well as hosting trade negotiations.

The idea of buying the Queen a new Royal Yacht to replace the HMY Britannia, which was decommissioned in 1997, has long been a pet project for a core of Tory backbenchers.

It’s thought the proposed HMS Prince Phillip would be seen as a successor to the mothballed Yacht - now moored in Edinburgh as a visitor attraction.

Boris Johnson is said to be considering the scheme (PA)

But Number 10 insisted there were no plans for a new Royal Yacht.

They also declined to confirm reports that the new vessel could be commissioned “within weeks” - but did not rule out the bumper £200 million price tag.

A spokesperson said: “The Prime Minister has an exciting vision for shipbuilding in this country and is committed to making the UK a shipbuilding superpower.

“We are always looking for new ways to promote Global Britain around the world, driving investment back to the UK and delivering value for money for the British people.”