The ship, which led the UK's naval forces during the invasion of Iraq, is the fifth vessel to carry the name - the first saw battle in 1588 against the Spanish Armada.

BBC: HMS Ark Royal sold for scrap by Ministry of Defence

Washington's request was met by a chorus of protest, particularly from Greek ship owners who claim that America needs to know only who is in day-to-day control of a vessel, not the name of the beneficial owner.

ECONOMIST: In peril on the sea

The current HMS Campbeltown, which is about to be decommissioned, bears the name of a vessel deliberately blown up in an attempt to destroy a dry dock in occupied France in 1942.

BBC: HMS Campbeltown

The name of the vessel?

FORBES: "Who Is This Guy"

Rachel Fairhurst was the winner in an RNLI competition to come up with a name for the charity's latest and most advanced all-weather vessel.

BBC: Rescue inspires new RNLI lifeboat name