King Charles gets spotlight for his surprising decision

King Charles III has sparked reactions with his latest decision, overruling the late Queen Elizabeth to rename HMS Agincourt submarine.

The 76-year-old has decided to overturn the £1.5 billion submarine's original name, which was approved the late monarch in 2018

The decision to rename it HMS Achilles was reportedly made to avoid upsetting the French. According to Express UK, the King made his intervention last year.

He was understood to be concerned that naming the under-construction hunter-killer sub after the 1415 battle would remind the French of their defeat to the British.

The King reportedly stepped in and made it clear that the name had to be changed because he didn't want to upset the French.

A Royal Navy spokesperson reacted: “We are proud of our nation’s rich military history and the many famous battles fought.

"This would be a matter for the Royal Navy.”

However, the names are submitted to the monarch, as Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, for approval.

"The name was proposed by the Royal Navy Ships' Names and Badging Committee and approved by His Majesty the King," the spokesperson said.

Asper reports, Sir Gavin Williamson, the then defence secretary, announced in 2018 that the Ministry of Defence had signed a £1.5 billion contract to build a seventh Astute-class hunter-killer submarine called HMS Agincourt.