Picture: J Massey Royal Navy

The Royal Navy is to drop the name HMS Agincourt from its latest hunter-killer submarine.

The Astute-class vessel – the seventh and final in its class – is now to be named HMS Achilles.

It’s said the name change has been made by “woke” officials to appease the French.

The 1415 Battle of Agincourt in France is recognised as one of England’s greatest military victories.

Brilliant tactics by King Henry V led his army to overwhelm a much larger French force.

Former Defence Secretary Sir Gavin Williamson said:

“It is so pathetic that the Government is so ashamed of our history that they are renaming it.

“Next, they will probably want to rename HMS Queen Elizabeth for fear the Spaniards might be upset about the Armada.”

Sir Gavin announced in 2018 the Ministry of Defence (MoD) had signed a £1.5 billion contract to build a seventh Astute-class hunter-killer submarine called HMS Agincourt.

Former Torey Defence Secretary, Mr Shapps tweeted:

“Renaming the HMS Agincourt is nothing short of sacrilege.

“This submarine carries a name that honours a defining moment in British history.

“Under Labour, woke nonsense is being put ahead of tradition and our proud heritage.”

Retired Rear-Admiral Chris Parry Times Radio:

“This is just craven and contemptible surrender to, I’m afraid, the ideology being pushed by our Government.

“It seeks to erase our history and anything we need to be proud of.”

Downing Street refused to reveal why the name Agincourt had been dropped.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said:

“The name was proposed by the Names and Badging Committee and approved by His Majesty the King.

“I obviously can’t get into any more detail on that.”

Asked if the Prime Minister was proud of England’s role at the Battle of Agincourt, he said:

“Absolutely.”