The Guardian has a leaked letter this morning from Education Secretary Michael Gove proposing that the British public should donate a new Royal Yacht to the Queen to mark this year's Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

The old Royal Yacht, Britannia, was decommissioned in 1997 and Mr Gove suggests the building of a new one partly because he fears that the Diamond Jubilee is in danger of being overshadowed by the Olympics.

Writer and royal observer Robert Hardman explains why he supports the idea of a privately funded "national flagship".

Get in touch with Today via email , Twitter or Facebook or text us on 84844.