racing yacht britannia

• Recent Projects
• Yacht Exterior Design
• Yacht Interior Design
• Project Management
• Owner Representation
• Yacht Salvage

Sailing Yacht Britannia

In April 1893, some 20 years into G. L. Watson ’s trail blazing career, the royal sailing yacht  Britannia was launched. The prestige associated with this order from the Price of Wales, Britannia’s revolutionary design, enduring beauty, speed and a 43 year career in the ownerships of King Edward VII and King George V have all contributed to the Britannia legend.

The Royal sailing yacht Britannia racing Career

Britannia was built at D&W Henderson’s shipyard on the Clyde alongside her near sister, the America’s Cup challenger Valkyrie II . Her spoon bow was controversial and Watson was initially condemned for experimenting on such a prestigious commission, but it was not long before her admirable qualities were recognised and the perfection of hull form became known as the ‘ Britannia ideal’.

In the great season of 1893, Britannia acted as a trial horse for America’s Cup challenger Valkyrie II and saw off the challenge of the Herreshoff designed Navahoe to dominate racing in British waters. The following year when America’s Cup victor Vigilant raced in Britain in what was mooted as a re-run of the America’s Cup races, Britannia dominated; upholding British racing prowess after the loss of Valkyrie II .

The introduction of a new rating rule in 1896 gave Watson the opportunity to out-design Britannia , but the arrival of the Kaiser’s Meteor II killed off both the King’s pleasure and his prospects of winning. In 1898 Edward VII sold Britannia , but soon regretted it and by 1902 she was back in his ownership and once again became a regular sight on the British regatta circuit. Inherited by George V in 1910, Britannia was updated and again raced successfully in the British Big Class. The lead provided by George V in fitting out Britannia for the 1920 season re-established the Big Class in the aftermath of World War I and paved the way for the likes of Cambria , Astra and the J Class.

Conversion to J-Class

Following Watson’s early death in 1904, all leading British yacht designers were involved in the regular updating of the royal sailing yacht  Britannia . In 1930 it was Charles E. Nicholson ’s turn and he designed what remains the world’s tallest wooden mast for her. In 1931 Britannia emerged rejuvenated to race competitively with the J Class against which she would add a further 15 firsts to her racing record.

Britannia’s last season was the summer of 1935, when the American J Class Yankee visited British waters, in what was the last great flourishing of Big Class racing. Then with the King’s health failing she was withdrawn from racing and on 10th July 1936 her great career came to an end. As per the dying wishes of George V, she was towed out to St. Catherine’s Deep off the Isle of Wight and scuttled.

Although not a sailor, King Edward VIII fully appreciated the affection that surrounded Britannia and after she was scuttled, he commanded that G. L. Watson & Co. be presented with a memento of what remains the most successful racing yacht of all time. This souvenir of Britannia is held in the G.L. Watson Archive together with the original drawings.

G.L. Watson & Co. Ltd. 20-23 Woodside Place, Glasgow G3 7QL, Scotland

Tel: +44 (141) 501 0480

Find us on Facebook & Twitter

The Story Behind the Royal Family's Yacht, Britannia

The ship hosted four royal honeymoons in its 44 years of service.

The royal family has a long history of seafaring—the first official royal yacht was the HMY Mary (HMY stands for His or Her Majesty's Yacht) , gifted to Charles II by the Dutch in 1660. In fact, over the centuries the monarchy has utilized 83 royal yachts, including the most recent, the HMY Britannia .

Often referred to as the last royal yacht, the Britannia was decommissioned in 1997, and despite some efforts , there are no signs of a new one in the near future. Though its seafaring days may be behind it (the ship now serves as a tourist attraction in Edinburgh, Scotland), the Britannia remains an important artifact and a peek behind the curtain of royal life—it even garnered a prominent place in the fifth season of The Crown . Below, a few of its most notable moments throughout history.

It was the first royal yacht designed for ocean travel.

The ship was built by John Brown & Co at the same shipyard in Clydebank, Scotland in the same location the famous ocean liners the Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary were constructed. With 12,000 horsepower, the ship could travel at a maximum 22.5 knots (approximately 25 miles per hour), ideal for ocean-going diplomacy. Prior to its launch in 1953, the royal family used ships from the Royal Navy or even passenger liners for the overseas portions of the royal tour.

In its 44 years of service, the HMY Britannia traveled around 1.1 million miles.

It was commissioned just two days before the death of King George VI.

The King was already in failing health by the time the designs for the HMY Britannia were submitted, and the hope was that traveling might help alleviate some of his symptoms. However, just two days after the John Brown shipyard in Clydebank, Scotland received the order the King passed away on February 6, 1952.

It would take just over a year for the ship to be completed, during which time its name remained a secret—it wasn't announced until the ship's official launch in April of 1953, less than two months before the Queen's coronation . Elizabeth cracked a bottle of English wine (in the post-war era, champagne was considered too extravagant for the launch of a ship) and announced, "I name this ship Britannia … I wish success to her and all who sail in her."

It was created to double as a hospital.

When Britannia was first envisioned, less than a decade after the end of World War II, the designers sought to make it as functional as possible, crafting a space that could be converted from an ocean-going royal residence to a seafaring hospital during any possible future wartime. The main veranda was laid out and re-enforced so that it could support a helicopter landing and the laundry was made much larger than on a standard naval vessel to accommodate the potential patients. Though the ship was never actually put to that purpose, it was pressed into service on a rescue mission to help evacuate European nationals from South Yemen in 1986.

The ship was home to a lot of history.

Long before it became a floating museum, the Britannia had an eye for history. The gold and white binnacle housed on the ship's veranda deck was originally part of the HMY Royal George , a royal yacht that served Queen Victoria . Likewise, some of the bed linens used by Queen Elizabeth aboard the vessel were originally made for Victoria's bed for one of the previous royal yachts.

Britannia's steering wheel was lifted from her namesake, the racing yacht HMY Britannia , built in 1893 for King Edward VII .

It was redesigned to be less opulent.

Despite the sense of luxury that the term "royal yacht" inspires, the Queen and Prince Philip were actually concerned when they began overseeing the project in 1952 that the original interior design plans by the design firm McInnes Gardner & Partners were too lavish for a country still recovering from the war. The interiors were ultimately redesigned by Sir Hugh Casson and received very minimal updates throughout her 44 years of service.

But it still had homey touches—by royal standards.

Suffice to say that even low-key royal living is a fairly high class. In addition to the 56-seat State Dining Room, which hosted luminaries including Winston Churchill, Noel Coward, Nelson Mandela, and multiple US Presidents, the ship also sported a formal staircase where the Queen would greet guests, separate bedrooms and sitting rooms for both Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh, and a phone system designed to match the unique configurations of Buckingham Palace's telephones.

In the early years of the Britannia's life it was also home to the Queen's Rolls-Royce Phantom V which was hoisted and lowered from a special garage compartment at port so that the Queen could drive her own car at each location. The space was ever so slightly too small, forcing the bumpers to be removed in order to get it into the garage without damage and then refitted when the car was removed. Ultimately Elizabeth began using cars provided for her at port instead and the garage was converted into a storage area for beer.

The steering crew couldn't see where they were going.

Life on board the HMY Britannia was far from typical for her crew. To begin with, due to the prestige and pressure of the position, the commanding officer of the royal yacht was always a flag officer, most commonly a Rear Admiral, although the first two to serve were Vice Admirals, and Britannia 's final CO was a Commodore.

While working, the crew reportedly used hand signals to communicate rather than shouting orders, in order to maintain a sense of quiet and calm for the royal residents. It was also the last ship in the royal navy where the crew members slept in hammocks, a practice that they maintained until 1973.

Perhaps the most unusual element of the ship's functioning, though, was the steering. While on most ships, the steering wheel sits on the bridge, overlooking the front of the vessel, Britannia 's was on the deck below, in the wheelhouse, which meant that the yachtsmen who were actually doing the steering couldn't see where they were going. The crew got around this rather surprising pitfall by using voice pipes from the bridge to confer navigational orders.

It was a royal honeymoon essential.

No fewer than four royal couples celebrated their honeymoons in the HMY Britannia 's honeymoon suite (the only room onboard with a double bed.)

Princess Margaret started the tradition in 1960 for her Caribbean honeymoon with Anthony Armstrong-Jones , a quiet, formal affair where dinners were taken in full evening dress every night. Things didn't go quite as smoothly for Princess Anne on her honeymoon with Captain Mark Phillips in 1973—storms and 20-foot waves left the couple stricken with seasickness for the first week of their Caribbean cruise. Prince Charles and Princess Diana famously spent their 1981 honeymoon on a Mediterranean cruise aboard the yacht. The crew managed to duck the press so efficiently they garnered the nickname "the ghost ship." The final royal honeymoon aboard the Britannia was taken by Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson , Duchess of York in 1986 when the couple traveled around the Azores.

And a family vacation spot.

In addition to her diplomatic duties on royal tours and her service as a post-wedding retreat, the Britannia was also a vessel for family vacations. During the summer months, the royal family would often take off on what became known as the Western Isles tour, cruising around the western isles of Scotland. During the trip, the family would play games and have barbecues on the islands. The stairway off of the veranda was sometimes even converted into a waterslide for the younger royals. The tour often included a stop off at the Castle of Mey to visit the Queen Mother, then making berth in Aberdeen so that the Queen could travel to her favorite summer home, Balmoral .

The Queen openly wept when HMY Britannia was decommissioned in 1997.

With so many memories around the yacht, it's not hard to understand why the decommissioning of the Britannia was upsetting for the royal family. Though plans were initially drawn up for a replacement yacht, the government ultimately determined not to fund the effort. After the Queen officially took her leave of it in 1997, the ship was placed in the port of Leith in Scotland where it serves as a floating museum and events venue . All of the clocks on board remain stopped at 3:01, the exact time that Her Majesty disembarked for the last time.

It was used for a reception for Zara Phillips before her wedding.

Though it's no longer used as their private vessel, the Britannia 's connection to the royal family didn't end in 1997. In 2011 on the night before her wedding, the Queen's oldest granddaughter Zara Phillips contracted the ship for a reception. Though her grandmother wasn't in attendance Zara celebrated her upcoming marriage to Mike Tindall onboard along with her mother and her cousins Prince Harry, Prince William and Kate, Princess Eugenie, and Princess Beatrice.

Lauren Hubbard is a freelance writer and Town & Country contributor who covers beauty, shopping, entertainment, travel, home decor, wine, and cocktails.

Royal Family News

Prince George Is Reportedly Learning How to Fly

Prince Harry Reflects on Life as He Turns 40

Harry and Meghan Love These Children's Books

Princess Beatrice Steps Out in a Zara Jacket

Princess Diana Outfit Season Is Finally Here

Meghan's Two Elegant Outfits at Bookstore Opening

Meghan Markle's Surprise Appearance

New Details on King Charles's Trip to Australia

William Speaks Out After Kate's Big Health Update

Kate's Return to Work vs. Charles's Return

All the Hidden Symbolism in Kate Middleton's Video

New Video Offers Rare Look Inside Anmer Hall

The Royal Yacht Britannia Has a Fascinating History—Here's Everything You Should Know

It doesn't get more majestic than Queen Elizabeth II's yacht.

Seventy years ago, the Britannia began its journey as the royal yacht for Queen Elizabeth II and the Royal Family of the United Kingdom. Over the next 44 years she’d travel more than a million nautical miles and, in all her glamour and old world elegance, served as a residence that welcomed state visits from all over the world and family holidays alike. Then and now, she was and is a majestic symbol of the British Commonwealth and the reign of Queen Elizabeth II .

“Britannia is special for a number of reasons,” Prince Phillip once said. “Almost every previous sovereign has been responsible for building a church, a castle, a palace or just a house. The only comparable structure in the present reign is Britannia. As such she is a splendid example of contemporary British design and technology.”

Although she retired from service in 1997, today the Britannia, one of many of the world's grandest yachts , is docked in Edinburgh, where she is open as a visitors’ attraction and host of private events. Below we give you all the Royal Yacht Britannia facts you might want to know, from who owns the yacht now to why she was decommissioned to how fast she is to how to get tickets to visit. Britannia was, after all, the one place the queen said she could “truly relax,” so why not see why for yourself?

Royal Yacht Britania Facts and History

On February 4, 1952, John Brown & Co shipyard in Clydebank, Scotland, received the order from the Admiralty to build a new Royal Yacht to travel the globe and double as a hospital ship in times of war, according to the royal yacht's website . King George VI passed away two days after, sadly, and so on April 16, 1953, the newly crowned Queen Elizabeth II announced the yacht’s new name as the ship was revealed.

"I name this ship Britannia,” she said. “I wish success to her and all who sail in her." Britannia was commissioned into the Royal Navy in January 1954 and by April of that year sailed into her first overseas port: Grand Harbour, Malta.

The queen and The Duke of Edinburgh worked with interior designer Sir Hugh Casson for the ship to serve as both a functional Royal Navy vessel and an elegant royal residence. Queen Elizabeth II selected deep blue for Britannia’s hull, instead of the more traditional black. Its Naval crew included 220 Yachtsmen, 20 officers, and three season officers—plus a Royal Marines Band of 26 men during Royal Tours.

All of them might have had to change uniform up to six times a day, so the laundry service on board worked nonstop. The yacht also engaged in British overseas trade missions known as Sea Days and made an estimated £3 billion for the Exchequer between 1991 and 1995 alone.

The ship’s wheel was taken from King Edward VII’s racing yacht, also named Britannia, according to Boat International , and the 126-meter ship could reach speeds of 22.75 knots, or a seagoing cruising speed of 21 knots, according to Super Yacht Times . Other fun facts: The yacht could produce her own fresh water from sea water, and shouting was forbidden aboard to preserve tranquility, favoring hand signals for Naval orders instead.

Over the next 44 years, the Britannia would sail the equivalent of once around the world for each year, in total visiting 600 ports in 135 countries. Princess Margaret and Anthony Armstrong-Jones were the first of four couples to honeymoon on the ship in 1960, gifting them all privacy to sail to secluded locations. Prince Charles and Princess Diana followed in 1981 on the Mediterranean as well as Princess Anne and Captain Mark Phillips before them in 1973 in the Caribbean and Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson in 1986 in the Azores.

For family vacations aboard the ship, games, treasure hunts, plays, and picnics were organized, and on warm days the children could play in an inflatable paddling pool on the Verandah Deck.

In the Sun Lounge, the queen especially enjoyed taking breakfast and afternoon tea with views through large picture windows, a space you can see replicated in the TV show The Crown. Although no filming took place on board the Britannia for the show, researchers ensured scenes aboard it were accurate. In the queen’s bedroom, the resemblance is seen down to the decorative wall light fittings and embroidered silk panel above her bed that had been specially commissioned.

In 1997, the ship was decommissioned after the government decided the costs to refit it would be too great. On its final day in her service that followed a farewell tour around the U.K., the queen openly wept as the Band of HM Royal Marines played "Highland Cathedral."

"Looking back over 44 years we can all reflect with pride and gratitude upon this great ship which has served the country, the Royal Navy and my family with such distinction," Queen Elizabeth II said. All clocks on the ship stopped at 15:01, the exact time the Queen disembarked from the yacht for the final time, and they would remain at that time until the present.

How to Tour the Royal Yacht Britania

Today the yacht is owned by Royal Yacht Britannia Trus t, and all revenue it generates goes to the yacht’s maintenance and preservation. Ticketed entry allows you to step into state rooms like the Sun Lounge, the State Dining Room and State Drawing Room, in addition to the working side of the ship in the Crew’s Quarters, Laundry and gleaming Engine Room. Along the way you will see original artifacts from the shop—95 percent of which is on loan from The Royal Collection.

How to Visit the Royal Britania

You can visit the Britannia any day of the year on Edinburgh’s waterfront. Hours vary by season, and you can find them listed and purchase tickets on the yacht’s website . Private tours are also available, and you can visit the Royal Deck Tearoom, where the Royal Family hosted cocktail parties and receptions, for drinks, meals and scones. Additionally, the Britannia hosts special ticketed events for New Year’s and other occasions, and event spaces can be booked as well.

While you are in Edinburgh, you can also stay on the Fingal , a neighboring yacht-turned-floating-hotel, which is a seven-minute walk from the Britannia, and dine at its Lighthouse Restaurant & Bar, which serves breakfast, afternoon tea, dinner, and cocktails.

Where to See the Best and Brightest Leaves in 2024

Designers' Favorite Cosmic Cobalt Landmarks

The 15 Most Beautiful White Sand Beaches

The 12 Most Charming Christmas Towns

The Best Hotels in Santa Barbara

21 Purchases to Make Air Travel More Luxurious

An Insider’s Guide to Italy’s Aeolian Islands

How to Spend the Perfect Weekend in Casablanca

The 18 Best Beaches in Hawaii

13 Renowned Paris Historical Landmarks

The 31 Most Haunted Places in America

11 Best Beaches in Maine

Sign Up Today

Start your 14 day free trial today

History Hit Story of England: Making of a Nation

• 20th Century

10 Facts About Royal Yacht Britannia

Peta Stamper

28 nov 2022.

The 83rd and last in a long line of royal yachts, HMY Britannia has become one of the most famous ships in the world. Now permanently moored at Edinburgh’s Port of Leith, the floating palace is a visitor attraction welcoming some 300,000 people aboard each year.

For Queen Elizabeth II, Britannia was the ideal residence for state visits and peaceful royal family holidays and honeymoons. For the British public, Britannia was a symbol of Commonwealth. For the 220 naval officers who lived aboard Britannia , and the royal family, the 412-foot-long yacht was home.

Having travelled more than a million nautical miles over 44 years of service to the British Crown, Her Majesty’s beloved boat was decommissioned in 1997. Here are 10 facts about life aboard HMY Britannia.

1. Britannia was launched by Queen Elizabeth II on 16 April 1953 using a bottle of wine, not champagne

Champagne is traditionally smashed against a ship’s hull during launching ceremonies. However, in a post-war climate champagne was seen as too frivolous, so a bottle of Empire wine was used instead.

Britannia launched from the John Brown & Company shipyard in Clydebank, Scotland.

2. Britannia was the 83rd Royal Yacht

King George VI , Elizabeth II’s father, had first commissioned the royal yacht that would become Britannia in 1952. The previous official boat had belonged to Queen Victoria and was rarely used. The tradition of royal yachts had been started by Charles II in 1660.

George decided that the Royal Yacht Britannia should both be a regal vessel as well as a functional one.

3. Britannia had two emergency functions

Britannia was designed to be converted into a hospital ship in time of war, although that function was never used. Additionally, as part of the Cold War plan Operation Candid, in the event of nuclear war the ship would become a refuge off the north-west coast of Scotland for the Queen and Prince Philip.

4. Her maiden voyage was from Portsmouth to Grand Harbour in Malta

She carried Prince Charles and Princess Anne to Malta to meet the Queen and Prince Philip at the end of the royal couple’s Commonwealth tour. The Queen stepped aboard Britannia for the first time in Tobruk on 1 May 1954.

Over the next 43 years, Britannia would transport the Queen, members of the Royal Family and various dignitaries on some 696 foreign visits.

The HMY Britannia on a visit by the Queen to Canada in 1964

Image Credit: Royal Canadian Navy, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

5. Britannia hosted some of the 20th century’s most notable figures

In July 1959, Britannia sailed the newly opened Saint Lawrence Seaway to Chicago where she docked, making the Queen the first British monarch to visit the city. US President Dwight Eisenhower hopped aboard Britannia for part of the journey.

In later years, Presidents Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton would also step aboard. Charles and Diana, the Prince and Princess of Wales, took their honeymoon cruise on Britannia in 1981.

6. The crew were volunteers from the Royal Navy

After 365 days’ service, crew members could be admitted to the Permanent Royal Yacht Service as Royal Yachtsmen (‘Yotties’) and serve until they either chose to leave or were dismissed. As a result, some yachtsmen served on  Britannia  for over 20 years.

The crew also included a detachment of Royal Marines, who would dive underneath the ship each day while moored away from home to check for mines or other threats.

7. All royal children were allocated a ‘Sea Daddy’ on board the ship

The ‘sea daddies’ were primarily tasked with looking after the children and keeping them entertained (games, picnics and water fights) during voyages. They also oversaw the children’s chores, including cleaning the life rafts.

8. There was a ‘Jelly Room’ onboard for the royal children

The yacht had a total of three galley kitchens where Buckingham Palace ‘s chefs prepared meals. Among these galleys was a chilled room called the ‘Jelly Room’ for the sole purpose of storing royal children’s jellied desserts.

9. It cost around £11 million every year to run Britannica

The cost of running Britannia was always an issue. In 1994, another expensive refit for the ageing vessel was proposed. Whether or not to refit or commission a new royal yacht entirely came down to the election result of 1997. With repairs at a proposed cost of £17 million, Tony Blair’s new Labour government were unwilling to commit public funds to replace Britannica.

HMY Britannia in 1997, London

Image Credit: Chris Allen, Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons

10. All the clocks on board remain stopped at 3:01pm

In December 1997,  Britannia was officially decommissioned. The clocks have been kept at 3:01pm – the exact moment the Queen went ashore for the last time following the ship’s decommissioning ceremony, during which the Queen shed a rare public tear.

You May Also Like

“When you receive it, your son will be gone” Stalingrad’s Last Letters

How a find in Scotland opens our eyes to an Iranian Empire

Do you know who built Petra?

The Dark History of Bearded Ladies

Did this Document Legitimise the Yorkists Claim to the Throne?

The Strange Sport of Pedestrianism Got Victorians Hooked on Coca

Puzzle Over These Ancient Greek Paradoxes

In Ancient Rome, Gladiators Rarely Fought to the Death

Archaeologists Uncover Two Roman Wells on a British Road

Young Stalin Made His Name as a Bank Robber

3 Things We Learned from Meet the Normans with Eleanor Janega

Reintroducing ‘Dan Snow’s History Hit’ Podcast with a Rebrand and Refresh

Find anything you save across the site in your account

The Royal Yacht Britannia : A History of Queen Elizabeth II’s Favorite Palace

The christening of The Royal Yacht Britannia serves as a cheeky season opener to  The Crown . Black-and-white Pathé News–style footage shows a soon-to-be-crowned Queen Elizabeth II (Claire Foy) cheered on by shipbuilders as she launches her new 412-foot yacht. “I hope that this brand-new vessel, like your brand-new queen, will prove to be dependable and constant. Capable of weathering any storm,” she says about the royal replacement for the  Victoria and Albert III . By the series’ season finale, set 44 years later, both the sovereign and the floating palace she christened  Britannia will have hit rough seas—the cost of repairing the creaky old vessel and the modern role of the monarchy both in question. Ultimately, the yacht that undertook 968 official voyages all over the world, hosting dignitaries—including 13 US presidents—at receptions and banquets, was dry-docked near Edinburgh, Scotland, where it continues to be a popular tourist attraction. Here are some of the most buoyant facts about the palace the Queen famously said was “the one place where I can truly relax.”

The sun room on the Royal Yacht Britannia as photographed in 1981. 

In a nod to the country’s post-war austerity, Elizabeth scaled back the design of the ship that her father, King George VI, had commissioned just two days before he died. Rather than following the opulent plan laid out by the Scottish firm McInnes Gardner & Partners, she opted for the understated elegance envisioned by architect Sir Hugh Casson, who described “running a lawn mower over the Louis XVIl adornments” in favor of simple white walls, lilac-gray carpeting, and “a bit of gilding in grand places.” Elizabeth and her husband, Prince Phillip, were said to have personally chosen the furniture—much of it, including linens, recycled from the  Victoria and Albert —fabrics (florals, chintz, toile), and paintings. 

Prince Charles and Princess Diana on board the Royal Yacht Britannia as they prepare to depart on their honeymoon cruise in 1981.

As a former Royal Navy Commander, Prince Phillip also saw to the ship’s technical details, and his Bluebottle racing yacht inspired the Britannia ’s navy-hued hull. Outer decks were made of two-inch Burmese teak. The steering wheel was reclaimed from Britannia ’s namesake, King Edward VII’s 1893 racing yacht; a wheelhouse wheel came from George V’s racing yacht; and a gold-and-white binnacle (housing the ship’s compass) was salvaged from King George III’s yacht and installed on the Veranda deck. Fittings from former royal ships were also reused. 

The drawing room on the Royal Yacht Britannia as photographed in 1978. 

The 4,000-ton yacht had a crew of 220 Royal Yachtsmen who lived on board, about 45 household staff, and occasionally a 26-member Royal Marine embarked to entertain dignitaries. The monarch often welcomed guests from the ship’s grand staircase. (Stairs leading from the Veranda to the Royal deck were sometimes transformed into a water slide for the kids.)  Britannia ’s apartments were designed like those of a first-class ocean liner. A 56-seat state dining room, where many of the gifts given to the monarch (a wood-carved shark from Pitcairn Island, a bejeweled gold statue from Bangkok) were displayed, was the scene of formal dinners with guests such as Sir Winston Churchill, Frank Sinatra, Nelson Mandela, and Bill and Hillary Clinton. More intimate gatherings were held in the Queen’s official reception room, a smaller state drawing room with floral upholstered pieces, simple wood tables, an electric fireplace, and a Welmar baby grand piano bolted to the deck—played by everyone from Sir Noël Coward to Princesses Diana and Margaret. The teak-clad sun lounge, with rattan furniture and a toile loveseat, was Elizabeth’s favorite place—where she had her breakfast, afternoon tea, and also enjoyed her favorite Dubonnet and gin cocktails.

The Queen’s sitting room on the Royal Yacht Britannia as photographed in 1981. 

A ship elevator reserved for royal use moved between the Upper and Shelter Decks. The latter is where four Royal Apartments (bedrooms), including the Queen and Prince Phillip’s connecting compartments, were located. Hers featured florals, his had red accents. Elizabeth’s understated Upper Deck private sitting room, done in pastels and neutrals, served as the office where she conducted state business. Phillip used his sitting room, with its wood desk facing a model of his first command, the HMS Magpie , as his study. Below deck there was a wine cellar, as well as a cargo hold that could carry a barge, speed- and sailboats, plus a royal Range Rover and Rolls-Royce. The yacht could also be converted into a hospital (though it never was).

The Queen shed a tear at the decommissioning ceremony for thye Royal Yacht Britannia.

As depicted in  The Crown, Britannia ’s final official trip was to Hong Kong in 1997, where Prince Charles attended the handover of the territory to China. By then, Prime Minister Tony Blair’s administration was complaining that the £11 million a year needed to keep the boat afloat couldn’t be justified. With Queen Elizabeth, Prince Phillip, and all of their children in attendance,  Britannia was decommissioned at a ceremony in Portsmouth, England on December 11, 1997, with the monarch seen wiping away a tear. The yacht, now docked in Leith, Scotland, is open to the public as a museum and events space. (Prior to their wedding, Princess Anne and Mark Phillips’s daughter Zara Phillips and her fiancé Mike Tindall had a celebration there.) Visitors will note that every clock on board reads 3:01, the exact time the Queen disembarked her beloved  Britannia for the final time on that December day.

SUPPORT OUR JOURNALISM: Please consider donating to keep our website running and free for all - thank you!

• Meet the team
• Privacy Policy
• Royal Weddings
• Media & Commentary requests

Everything you need to know about Queen Elizabeth’s Yacht Britannia

HMY Britannia by Tower Bridge. Credit: Lynda Poulter via Wikimedia Commons.

In service from 1954 until 1997, HMY Britannia is the former royal yacht of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. She was the 83rd such vessel since King Charles II acceded to the British throne in 1660 and had HMY Mary built for him by the Dutch East India Company, and the second royal yacht to bear the name, the first being a racing cutter built for the Prince of Wales in 1893.

During her 43-year career, the yacht travelled more than a million nautical miles around the globe. Today, she is an award-winning visitor attraction and evening events venue permanently berthed at Ocean Terminal, Leith, in Edinburgh.

HMY Britannia was built in Scotland at the shipyard of John Brown & Co. Ltd. in Clydebank, West Dumbartonshire. It was launched by the Queen on 16 April 1953 and commissioned on 11 January 1954.

She sailed on her maiden voyage from Portsmouth to Grand Harbour, Malta, on 14 April 1954, carrying Prince Charles and Princess Anne to Malta, to Malta in order for them to meet their parents at the end of the royal couple’s Commonwealth Tour.

On 20 July 1959,  Britannia  sailed the newly opened Saint Lawrence Seaway en route to Chicago, where she docked, making the Queen the first Canadian monarch to visit the city. US President Dwight D. Eisenhower was aboard  Britannia  for part of this cruise; Presidents Ford, Reagan and Clinton were subsequently welcomed aboard the yacht.

Britannia  was designed to be converted into a hospital ship in time of war, with space for an estimated 200 patients. Although the ship was never used in this capacity, as she sailed down the Red Sea in January 1986, en route to Australia, she was asked to play the equally challenging role of rescue ship, to evacuate British nationals and others trapped in South Yemen, where civil war had broken out. Moreover, in the event of nuclear war, Britannia was to be used as a refuge and base of operations for the Queen. The plan, codenamed “Python system”, would have had the ship located on the northwest coast of Scotland in sea lochs with Her Majesty, the Duke of Edinburgh, and the Home Secretary safely on board.

The royal yacht played host to four royal honeymoons: Princess Margaret and Anthony Armstrong-Jones visited the West Indies in 1960; Princess Anne and Captain Mark Phillips also chose the Caribbean in 1973; Prince Charles and Princess Diana travelled around the Mediterranean in 1981 and finally the Duke and Duchess of York visited the Azores in 1986. Most recently, Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall held their pre-wedding reception on board the yacht in July 2011.

The State Drawing Room. Credit: Marianna Bozzoli.

Britannia ’s last foreign mission was to Hong Kong for the transfer of sovereignty from the United Kingdom to the People’s Republic of China on 1 July 1997.  The ship set sail for Hong Kong in January and served to escort British Governor Christopher Patten and the Prince of Wales back to the UK.

In 1997, the Conservative government committed itself to replacing the Royal Yacht if re-elected, while the Labour Party refused to disclose its plans for the vessel. After Tony Blair’s Labour won the general election in May 1997, it announced the vessel was to be retired and no replacement would be built. The previous government had argued that the cost was justified by its role in foreign policy and promoting British interests abroad.

The Queen has since chartered the MV Hebridian Princess , a private charter cruise ship, on two separate occasions for family trips around the Scottish islands.

When HMY Britannia would come into port, blowing its foghorns, the Queen herself would reportedly imitate the foghorn noise, much to the amusement of anyone in earshot. Then she and the Duke of Edinburgh would travel ashore on the royal barge, built in 1964 to replace to previous one, which had originally belonged to the royal yacht Victoria and Albert III .

Unlike most ships, Britannia was the only ships in the world where the captain was always an Admiral.  The crew were volunteers from the Royal Navy, officers were appointed for a period of two years, while enlisted crew (known as “yachtsmen”) served for one-year periods, after which they could be admitted to “The Permanent Royal Yacht Service”.  If accepted the Royal Yachtsmen were permitted to serve until they left the Royal Yacht Service or were expelled for medical or disciplinary reasons.  An attachment of Royal Marines would also be stationed on the yacht when the Royal Family was present. Service on the royal yacht attracted no extra pay, allowances or leave.

Everything was done to preserve the Royal Family’s tranquillity: most orders were not given verbally, but by hand signal; soft-soled plimsolls were worn and any work near the royal apartments had to be completed by 8.00AM.

The Queen’s Bedroom. Credit: Marianna Bozzoli.

HMY Britannia was the last ship in the Royal Navy to have hammocks in sailors’ quarters.

During her career as Royal Yacht,  Britannia  conveyed the Queen, other members of the Royal Family and various dignitaries on 696 foreign visits and 272 visits in British waters. In this time,  Britannia  steamed 1,087,623 nautical miles (2,014,278 km).

Share this:

Typical Tony B liar, hypocrite

Latest posts

Who is the current longest reigning monarch in europe, the mystery at the heart of a royal wedding that created a world famous bridal tradition, the king who never gave up hope of regaining his lost crown, diamond jubilee barge back at special dock, never miss the latest, most popular, the queen watches on with pride as lady louise drives prince philip’s carriages at windsor horse show, an annus horribilis in monaco a difficult year for albert and charlene finally winds to an end, the duchess of cambridge wows tv audiences with a musical piano performance on christmas eve, latest blogs.

The royal wedding gift of sapphires that was hidden behind palace doors for decades

The brutal assassination of a beloved Empress

A sparkling tiara that links an emperor to an historic queen.

The Rebirth of a Legend History of Britannia

The royal cutter yacht Britannia was built by Henderson’s on the Clyde in 1893 for Queen Victoria’s son Albert Edward, then Prince of Wales. George Lennox Watson designed her to the Length and Sail Area Rule and had her constructed at the D&W Henderson Yard on the River Clyde in Scotland.

Built of wooden planking over steel frames in little more than four months, she was launched on 20 April 1893. The time frame may have been impossibly fast by today’s standards but designer and builder alike made a fine job of Britannia.

The black-hulled beauty was exceptionally fast as well as stunning to look at. Moved down to Cowes, which she would call her home port for the next four decades, a top racing crew was assembled as Britannia was put through her paces in and around the Solent.

In her first season of racing, she scored 24 wins in 43 starts, as well as nine other prizes. In 1894 Britannia won all seven races for the ‘Big Class’ yachts on the French Riviera, then beat the 1893 America’s Cup defender Vigilant in home waters. The next three years were equally successful, with another 86 prizes to her name.

During the years leading up to World War I, Britannia was used mainly for cruising by King Edward VII and then, after his death in 1910, by his son and heir King George V.

While Britannia is famed for her racing exploits, she was also a beautiful boat on which to relax and many contemporaries told stories of their time onboard. If her elegant exterior profile transfixed the eye of observers from afar, those lucky few who got to spend time on and below her decks never forgot the experience.

Two years after the end of what was then dubbed ‘the war to end all wars’ (if only), King George V felt that the nation needed a boost. He triggered the revival of the Big Class by announcing that he would refit Britannia for racing.

Many yacht owners took up the gauntlet, including Herbert Weld who had the beautiful Lulworth built especially to race against Britannia. Although Britannia was the oldest yacht in the circuit, regular updates to her rig made her one of the most successful racers throughout the 1920s.

The Big Class revival initiated by Britannia was one of the key reasons for the immergence of the J-class yachts, built with only one mast to the Universal Rule. Five were launched in 1930 in the UK and US, namely Enterprise, Shamrock V, Weetamoe, Whirlwind and Yankee.

Never one to resist a sailing challenge, King George commissioned a major refit for Britannia in 1931 that gave her a Bermudan rig. The legendary Charles E Nicholson designed the tallest wooden mast the world has ever seen: made of silver spruce, it weighed an incredible three tons.

A rejuvenated Britannia went on to add 15 more firsts to her record during her final years, giving her a grand final total of 231 wins out of 635 races. Her last hurrah came in the summer of 1935 as she raced against the American J Class Yankee in British waters.

In January 1936 the British people mourned the passing of King George V. It was announced that in accordance with the monarch’s wishes upon his death, Britannia would be stripped of her spars and fittings and scuttled.

On 10 July 1936 her hull was picked up by HMS Winchester and towed out to St. Catherine’s Deep near the Isle of Wight. There she was scuttled and laid to rest beneath the waves, with a simple garland of flowers placed on her stem-head.

Norwegian entrepreneur Sigurd Coates decided to follow a long-cherished wish and began construction of a replica of Britannia at the Solombala shipyard in Archangel, Russia. “It started with a dream and following your dreams is a big part of life,” he says at the time.

The project then became a labour of love taking 11 years to complete and involved seven nationalities. Using the original drawings from Scotland, Sigurd and his team recreated the hull in pine wood with a laminated oak frame.

Although the boat was ready to launch for outfitting in 2005, Britannia became enmeshed in a legal minefield in Russia for another five years. By the time Sigurd was finally able to take possession of his Britannia in 2009 and move her to Norway for completion, the global recession had taken its toll financially.

Realizing the difficulty of completing the project, Sigurd was inspired by the ideas of the K1 Britannia Trust to use the boat as a flagship for charity, and agreed to sell her. The hull was transported to Cowes and taken out of the water at the Southboats yard. K1 invested in the scaffolding, cradle, tools and workmen required and rebuilding work resumed in earnest on the next stages of the Britannia build.

The Southboats yard was liquidated and all building work stopped. Britannia was placed back in the water. Over the next couple of years, various surveyors carefully inspected Britannia and a full scope of the work for continuing the rebuild was undertaken.

The K1 team decided to broaden its thinking as to the best type of replica and how they could fulfill the purpose of Britannia while ensuring Britannia’s relevance and stature in the modern sailing world. Based on research, and in the interest of sustainability, the Trust decided to follow the vision of GL Watson while also maximizing the best technology available to boat builders today

By SuperyachtNews 28 Sep 2018

MONACO YACHT SHOW 2023

Britannia replica set to rule the waves again

The k1 britannia trust announces plans for a thoroughly modern replica of an 1893 thoroughbred racing yacht….

She epitomised the very essence of speed and elan in the glory days of large yacht racing at the turn of the 20th century, and during a race career spanning 43 years the 37m sailing yacht Britannia clocked 231 victories – a win rate better than one in three. Designed by the legendary GL Watson, the original Britannia was a cutter commissioned by Queen Victoria’s son, Albert Edward – later, King Edward VII.

Britannia retained her royal connections, passing from Edward VII to King George V in 1910, in whose hands she remained until his death in 1936, after which she was scuttled off the Isle of Wight. She had been converted from cutter to sloop in 1931 at the dawn of the J Class era, and it was in 1931 that she received her ‘K1’ flag number, as well as the tallest wooden mast the world had seen.

Now there are plans to bring her design back, with updated materials and construction methods to place her right back at the forefront of modern-classic racing. The K1 Britannia Trust will incorporate GL Watson’s original lines into a super-sailer with an all-aluminium hull, carbon rig with continuous carbon rigging, box boom, bowsprit, green tech, and what the Trust describes as ‘the latest technologies in yacht racing’. Called K1 Britannia , she will be built to conform with J Class Association rules so she can race with the current J Class fleet. Moreover, she will feature eco-conscious technologies, and when not racing she will be used to promote a wide range of charitable causes.

Previous attempts have been made to build a replica of Britannia , most notably by Norwegian Sigurd Coates who, in 1993, began a project to recreate her entirely in wood. After ten years of meticulous construction, and with the hull and interior finally finished and ready for outfitting, the project became embroiled in a Russian legal minefield and was held for another five years. With recession biting, the K1 Britannia Trust bought the project as a flagship for charity and moved it to Cowes on the Isle of Wight. But the project was hampered with further difficulties; after subsequent surveys and discussions on how to proceed, the Trust decided to rethink the replica and give her a thoroughly modern makeover.

“During her 43-year history Britannia was regularly modified to ensure she stayed the fastest and most competitive possible boat of her type,” says Scott Ward, a K1 Britannia trustee. “While many think of her as an historical piece – and she certainly embodies the heritage of the racing days prior to the Second World War – Britannia was actually the F1 racing boat of her day. We have become convinced that if she had been built today for the same innovative owners and by the same visionary designer, they would have insisted on staying true to her competitive racing pedigree and leveraging the latest technology. This is why we will retain the unrivalled hull lines of the original yacht and then build a replica that truly captures the spirit and performance of Britannia in every way.”

“The Trust’s vision for K1 Britannia is to bring back to life this extraordinary vessel as a truly enduring racing machine and a force for good,” explains Priya Thirumur, another of the K1 Britannia trustees. “As one of the most instantly recognizable classic yachts of all time, the future Britannia will be distinctively equipped for a new era of yachting while also serving as an international flagship for youth initiatives and maritime causes the world over.”

Construction is due to start on K1 Britannia in 2019, with the aim to reveal the yacht in all her glory at the next America’s Cup finals, which are scheduled to take place in New Zealand in 2021. The Trust is actively looking for corporate partners, and for anyone interested in the project and its charitable foundations, Trust representatives will be on hand at the Monaco Yacht Show on their stand QR12 on Quai Rainier 1er.

Image: insets from left to right – the original cutter Britannia ; Britannia in her post-1931 sloop configuration with the world's tallest wooden mast; an artist's impression of what the replica K1 Britannia will look like

Join the discussion

To post comments please Sign in or Register

When commenting please follow our house rules

Have drawn up plans for a private "classic" motor yacht (similar length to retired brirannia) which the prime minister is trying to promote as a royal yacht. However your yacht, renamed duke of edinburgh, is a far more viable concern,moneteraly, to the british public and connects much better with the duke who regularly sailed on the solent with his good friend uffa fox. What would be the cost to the u.k. taxpayer as against the 200 million cost just to "build" a royal yacht.

Click here to become part of The Superyacht Group community, and join us in our mission to make this industry accessible to all, and prosperous for the long-term. We are offering access to the superyacht industry’s most comprehensive and longstanding archive of business-critical information, as well as a comprehensive, real-time superyacht fleet database, for just £10 per month, because we are One Industry with One Mission. Sign up here .

Sign up to the SuperyachtNews Bulletin

Receive unrivalled market intelligence, weekly headlines and the most relevant and insightful journalism directly to your inbox.

Sign up to the SuperyachtNews Bulletin

The superyachtnews app.

Follow us on

Media Pack Request

Please select exactly what you would like to receive from us by ticking the boxes below:

SuperyachtNews.com

Register to comment

• Subscribe Now
• Digital Editions
• Latest Issue
• The Country Life Podcast
• Country Life's Little Black Book

The Royal Yacht Britannia: How The Queen created a floating home and theatre of state

• Queen Elizabeth II
• Royal family

The Queen was the best-travelled monarch in British history. John Goodall looks at the story of the Royal Yacht Britannia, now permanently moored in Leith, Edinburgh. Photographs by Paul Highnam.

‘I name this ship Britannia . I wish success to her and to all who sail in her.’

With these words, on April 16, 1953, The Queen released a bottle of ‘Empire wine’ — a post-war economy in place of Champagne — to launch the Royal Yacht Britannia . The name of the ship had been kept secret and, hearing it declared, the assembled crowd gave a huge roar of approval. To the sound of more cheers, and as a band played Rule Britannia , the 4,000-ton hull, No 691, slid slowly down the slipway from the Clydebank shipyard of John Brown & Co, into the river, and was towed by tugs to the fitting-out basin upstream.

From as early as 1939, bids had been invited to construct a new Royal Yacht capable of long-distance travel. War and austerity put paid to the initiative, but a visit by George VI to South Africa in 1947 on board the battleship HMS Vanguard revived it. As The Queen commented at Britannia ’s launch, George VI ‘felt most strongly, as I do, that a yacht was a necessity and not a luxury for the Head of our great British Commonwealth, between whose countries the sea is no barrier, but the natural and indestructible highway’.

Fig 1: The Sun Lounge. The wall-mounted telephone to the right is identical to those installed in Buckingham Palace. The Royal Yacht Britannia. ©Paul Highnam for Country Life

In October 1951, therefore, the Labour Prime Minister Clement Attlee announced the government’s intention to build a yacht capable of conversion into a hospital ship in time of war. A General Election, however, almost immediately passed responsibility for realising the £2.1 million project to a Conservative government under Sir Winston Churchill and the King authorised the commission in writing on February 5, 1952, the day before he died. Britannia claims to be the 83rd Royal Yacht in succession to Mary , which was presented to Charles II by the people of Amsterdam at the Restoration in 1660. The first steam-powered Royal Yacht was launched in 1843.

Recommended videos for you

Both the Duke of Edinburgh — himself, of course, a naval officer with a technical interest in, and understanding of, ships — and The Queen were closely involved in the design and decoration of Britannia . As the Duke explained in an interview in 1995, she ‘was rather special as far as we were concerned because we were involved from the very beginning in organising the design and furnishing and equipping and hanging the pictures and everything else… All the other places we live in had been built by predecessors’. This close involvement makes the royal apartment within the yacht one of the most coherent surviving expressions of the royal couple’s personal interests and taste.

One outward mark of their involvement in Britannia is the deep blue of the hull ( Fig 2 ) , which is borrowed — together with its enlivening band of gold leaf — from the Dragon Class racing yacht Bluebottle , which was a wedding gift in 1948. The main interiors of the yacht, meanwhile, were created with the assistance of Sir Hugh Casson, who had recently been knighted for his work as director of architecture for the Festival of Britain.

Fig 3: The State Dining Room. Hung on the walls are gifts from around the world. The Royal Yacht Britannia. ©Paul Highnam for Country Life

By Casson’s account — recorded in a series of interviews in early 1990 for the National Life Stories of the British Library Oral History Project — the dockyard had initially turned to the established local firm of McInnes Gardner to furnish the yacht. The Duke of Edinburgh, however, judged its Louis XVII-style proposals as too much in the character of a transatlantic liner. He requested something simpler and asked the furniture designer Gordon Russell for advice. Russell suggested Casson on the strength of his Festival of Britain experience. By happy coincidence, Casson loved liners, having spent part of his childhood in Southampton.

Casson had never properly met his royal clients before this commission and time was of the essence. After a sequence of interviews with the Duke of Edinburgh, the Admiralty and a representative of McInnes Gardner, he quickly produced a series of large watercolour sketches of the main rooms that were posted off to the Royal Family at Balmoral. That done, and in company with John Wright, an architect and furniture designer in his office, he visited the previous Royal Yacht — Victoria and Albert III , built in 1899 and retired in 1937 — to salvage fittings. These included her picture collection, china, silver, linen and glass. Two ornate compasses or binnacles were also rescued, but these, in fact, originally came from a yet earlier vessel, Queen Victoria’s Royal George .

Fig 4: The State Drawing Room, with its regulation electric fire. ©Paul Highnam for Country Life

Soon afterwards, Casson, Wright and a Mr McInnes Gardner of the eponymous Glasgow firm, were summoned to Balmoral, where they arrived one morning at breakfast time. There was an informal meeting soon afterwards, with The Queen sitting by the fire and Princess Anne combing her hair, at which his royal clients professed themselves delighted with the designs. They requested, however, that the watercolours be laid out for further discussion after the immediate business of the morning, a church service.

What discussion the drawings elicited is unclear, but Casson makes it apparent that the Duke of Edinburgh was otherwise a crucial point of connection in the design process and that the choice of fabrics was taken by the royal couple. The next day, Casson was dismissed with an instruction to get on with the work and send samples of materials. He was also given a brace of pheasant bearing a prominent label ‘From The Queen’, which he hung ostentatiously from the luggage rack of his train carriage as he travelled south.

Casson’s stated aim in Britannia was to create a country-house interior in the yacht, although the conscious simplicity perhaps more powerfully evokes the residence of a British colonial governor or High Commissioner. He proposed a single colour carpet throughout, white walls, polished mahogany doors and some gilding of highlights. His accomplished and loosely worked watercolour sketches have the effect of bringing the picture hang and the furniture to the fore, setting chintz patterns and pastel tones against the clean lines and bold details of the architecture. To a striking degree, and despite repair and renovation, the interiors of the yacht still resemble these views.

Fig 5: The grand staircase connecting the royal bedroom suites with the state rooms. The Royal Yacht Britannia. ©Paul Highnam for Country Life

Incorporated within the Upper Deck are the State Drawing Room — the fireplace within it had to be fitted with an electric fire because of naval regulations ( Fig 4 ) — and the State Dining Room ( Fig 3 ) . Between them is an anteroom and the main stair ( Fig 5 ) , as well as sitting rooms for the Duke and The Queen ( Fig 6 ) . The stairwell also incorporates the formal entrance to the yacht, making this the hallway of the royal apartment. On the Shelter Deck above are the private family rooms, including the Duke’s and The Queen’s bedrooms ( Fig 8 ) , each with its own bathroom. There is also the Sun Lounge ( Fig 1 ) , a room with large windows that opens onto the verandah deck towards the stern.

The royal apartment occupies about a third of the yacht and has its own connected cabins, services and galley. All the remainder was organised in the manner of a working Royal Navy vessel. To man the ship was a crew of up to 220 yachtsmen and 21 officers under the command of an admiral or commodore (rather than a captain). The crew was divided into several departments, including a Royal Marine band. There is a bridge, wheelhouse, accommodation, wardroom and messes, a sick-bay and storage. The diesel engines drove two geared steam turbines that gave her a top speed of 22½ knots and a range of about 2,196 miles at 20 knots.

Much about the life of Britannia was unusual. The uniform was distinctive, with such details as a silk bow at the back of the trousers. Gym shoes were worn on deck and, to avoid noise, there was no tannoy system or shouting. Instead telephones and hand signals were used to communicate. Because of its role as a floating palace and the need for impeccable clothes, the laundry was particularly important. In addition to the Royal Barge — the original from Victoria and Albert III was replaced in 1964 by one built by Camper Nicholson — the yacht also had a garage for either a Land Rover or The Queen’s Phantom V Rolls Royce.

Fig 6: The Queen’s Sitting Room, with its desk. The Royal Yacht Britannia. ©Paul Highnam for Country Life

In November 1953, as work to Britannia was still under way, The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh set off on their first and longest Commonwealth tour aboard the passenger liner Gothic . Their new yacht set out to meet them as they returned, carrying the young Prince of Wales and Princess Anne. The family party embarked from Tobruk on May 1, 1954 and returned to Britain, picking up Churchill (and Casson) in the Solent. Having reviewed the fleet, Britannia sailed into the Port of London to public welcome. A painting of the yacht passing beneath Tower Bridge on that occasion was later hung in pride of place over the drawing-room fireplace.

For the next 44 years, Britannia worked busily in the service of Britain and the Commonwealth and played a role in more than 700 royal visits. In the process, she served not only as a means of transport, but as a home and a theatre of state. One of her regular duties was an annual summer cruise taking the Royal Family from the Cowes Regatta off the Isle of Wight to the Western Isles of Scotland. She also acted as a honeymoon retreat for several royal couples. The Queen was seen to relax on board in a way that was impossible elsewhere.

Fig 7: The engine room, with its immaculate machinery. Britannia sailed her millionth mile in February 1994. The Royal Yacht Britannia. ©Paul Highnam for Country Life

In 1994, when on a Caribbean trip, Britannia passed her millionth nautical mile and there was a celebration in the engine room ( Fig 7 ) , where The Queen and the Duke cut a ribbon and a cake. By then, however, she was becoming a dated vessel and, in 1995, a decision was taken by the Conservative Government of John Major that Britannia should not sail beyond 1997. This opened up discussions on the creation of a ‘cost-effective elegant royal yacht’, a project rather awkwardly compressed into the acronym CELERY. The idea of a replacement for Britannia was eventually incorporated into the Conservative manifesto of 1997, but with the Opposition never having been consulted, the provision of a new yacht now became a heated political issue.

Following the Labour general election victory that year, therefore, the idea of replacing Britannia was scrapped. Tony Blair made a visit to the yacht soon afterwards and has been quoted as saying that he regretted the decision as soon as he stepped on board.

Fig 8: The Queen’s Bedroom, with its modest single bed. The embroidered silk panel over the bed was designed by Joan Nicholson. The Royal Yacht Britannia. ©Paul Highnam for Country Life

The fate of Britannia , however, was by now sealed. On June 30, 1997, she performed her final state role, in the handover of Hong Kong to China, carrying the governor out of the harbour. She returned to Britain to be decommissioned at Portsmouth on December 11, 1997. After a gathering of the Royal Family on board, The Queen was piped ashore for the last time at exactly 15:01. The time is still displayed on all the clocks onboard. In a rare display of emotion, she was seen to shed a tear for the ship that had been her creation and home for so long.

In the past, Royal Yachts had either been scuttled or broken up. In the case of Britannia , however, the Government invited bids from UK organisations to present her to the public as a tourist attraction. From the seven bids considered, that of Edinburgh was judged the most successful and, since July 5, 1998, the yacht has been berthed beside Ocean Terminal shopping centre at Leith under the care of the The Royal Yacht Britannia Trust. She has not only proved a popular tourist attraction, but continues to operate as a venue for private hire. On display at Britannia are three royal sailing vessels, The Queen’s ocean-racing yacht Bloodhound , Bluebottle and Coweslip . The trust also owns a former lighthouse supply vessel, Fingal , now converted into Scotland’s only luxury floating hotel.

The political battle over the question of whether Britain should have a Royal Yacht continues into this Platinum Jubilee year. Whatever the outcome, Britannia deserves to be better known as a remarkable surviving example of taste at the start of Britain’s second Elizabethan Age.

For further information and opening hours, visit www.royalyachtbritannia.co.uk

This article was originally published in June 2022.

Running a tight ship: 14 facts about the HMY Britannia

For The Queen, the tourist attraction Britannia was once a home away from home. Here are 14 facts about this

HMY Britannia ">Fingal, Edinburgh: A floating hotel with royal connection, run by the trust who look after HMY Britannia

The Royal Yacht Britannia was long ago decommissioned but has now become a top attraction in Edinburgh — and now the

You rang, your majesty? What it was like to be a servant in the Royal Household

When the king and queen edited country life, by the editor who guided them every step of the way, a century of royal photography is going on show at buckingham palace, from cecil beaton to annie leibovitz.

• AMERICA'S CUP
• CLASSIFIEDS
• NEWSLETTERS
• SUBMIT NEWS

Light wind stops racing as INEOS Britannia faces first defeat in Louis Vuitton Cup Semi-Finals

Related Articles

Upcoming Events

The global authority in superyachting

• NEWSLETTERS
• Yachts Home
• The Superyacht Directory
• Yacht Reports
• Brokerage News
• The largest yachts in the world
• The Register
• Yacht Advice
• Yacht Design
• 12m to 24m yachts
• Monaco Yacht Show
• Builder Directory
• Designer Directory
• Interior Design Directory
• Naval Architect Directory
• Yachts for sale home
• Motor yachts
• Sailing yachts
• Explorer yachts
• Classic yachts
• Sale Broker Directory
• Charter Home
• Yachts for Charter
• Charter Destinations
• Charter Broker Directory
• Destinations Home
• Mediterranean
• South Pacific
• Rest of the World
• Boat Life Home
• Owners' Experiences
• Conservation and Philanthropy
• Interiors Suppliers
• Owners' Club
• Captains' Club
• BOAT Showcase
• Boat Presents
• Events Home
• World Superyacht Awards
• Superyacht Design Festival
• Design and Innovation Awards
• Young Designer of the Year Award
• Artistry and Craft Awards
• Explorer Yachts Summit
• Ocean Talks
• The Ocean Awards
• BOAT Connect
• Between the bays
• Golf Invitational
• BOATPro Home
• Superyacht Insight
• Global Order Book
• Premium Content
• Product Features
• Testimonials
• Pricing Plan
• Tenders & Equipment

Trust announces plans to rebuild 1893 racing yacht Britannia

A charitable trust has announced plans to rebuild the iconic 19th century racing yacht Britannia . The K1 Britannia Trust revealed that construction is due to begin next year and the finished yacht be unveiled at the 2021 America’s Cup in New Zealand. The build yard has not yet been announced.

The green light comes after years of research and development by the K1 Britannia Trust. The original design will be modified to comply with the J Class Association rules to enable the new yacht to race against the J Class fleet. Alongside its regatta racing, the yacht will also be used to promote a range of charitable causes.

While a designer has not yet been announced, the trust has revealed that the new build will feature an all-aluminium hull and carbon rig.

The trust says the original lines from GL Watson’s 1893 design will be used as the foundation for the new Britannia’s design, although the modern GL Watson studio does not have any involvement with the project.

K1 Britannia trustee Priya Thirumur said, “The trust’s vision for K1 Britannia is to bring back to life this extraordinary vessel as a truly enduring racing machine and a force for good.”

She added: “As one of the most instantly recognisable classic yachts of all time, the future Britannia will be distinctively equipped for a new era of yachting while also serving as an international flagship for youth initiatives and maritime causes the world over.”

Sign up to BOAT Briefing email

Latest news, brokerage headlines and yacht exclusives, every weekday

By signing up for BOAT newsletters, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy .

More stories

Most popular, from our partners, sponsored listings.

Royal Deck Tearoom

• Group Visit
• Accessibility

Annual Pass

• Our Green Tourism
• Weekly Snaps
• Things to do in Edinburgh
• What's On
• Private Events
• Private Dining
• Drinks Reception
• Private Tours
• Burns Supper
• Meet The Team
• Historical Timeline
• Explore Britannia
• Royal Residence
• Life Below Decks

The Royal Yacht Britannia, Ocean Drive, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6JJ

Tel: 0131 555 5566 Email us: [email protected]

The Royal Yacht Britannia is scheduled to be closed 9 & 10 October for planned building works out with our control

• Search this website

Tripadvisor’s No.1 UK Attraction 2023 - 2024

Please pre-book your tickets to guarantee admission..

Start your tour at our entrance on the Ground Floor of Ocean Terminal.

A great day out for all the family, explore each of the five decks at this top attraction in Edinburgh and discover what life was like on board Queen Elizabeth II's former floating palace. 

Open Tuesday

(Last Admission 6pm)

Plan Your Visit

Ticket information, opening times and more.

Buy Tickets

Pre-book your tickets to visit The Royal Yacht Britannia, top attraction in Leith.

Hogmanay Aboard Britannia

Celebrate the New Year aboard the Royal Yacht

Homemade soups, sandwiches and cakes, along with speciality teas and coffees.

Apply for 12 months' free admission after your first visit.

Stay at our luxury floating hotel, Fingal, Tripadvisor's No1. UK Luxury Hotel, AA Hotel of the Year Scotland.

Visiting Britannia

TRIPADVISOR'S NO.1 UK ATTRACTION 2023 - 2024

The Royal Yacht Britannia is scheduled to be closed 9 & 10 October for planned building works out with our control.

Click on the Visit page  for more information before you visit.

Step aboard to enjoy a great day out!

Fingal Hotel

Get away from the everyday aboard Britannia’s sister ship, Fingal.  Extend your visit with a stay in one of Fingal’s luxurious cabins, your own oasis by the sea. 

TRIPADVISOR'S NO.1 UK LUXURY HOTEL TRIPADVISOR'S NO.1 UK SMALL & BOUTIQUE HOTEL AA Hotel of the Year Scotland, AA five-star hotel and 2 AA Rosettes

Learn more: fingal.co.uk

Light winds stops racing as INEOS Britannia faces first defeat in Louis Vuitton Cup Semi-Finals

INEOS Britannia will face a longer battle against Alinghi Red Bull Racing for a spot in the Louis Vuitton Cup Final after losing a race to the Swiss before racing was abandoned due to light wind. It was the first defeat in the Semis for Ben Ainslie’s British crew, who had won all of its races against Alinghi on Saturday and Sunday.   

INEOS Britannia’s result was also echoed by the other Semi-Final pairing, with Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli facing their first defeat against New York Yacht Club American Magic. Both pairings were due for a second race on Monday, but after the wind failed to meet the lower limit required, the rest of the schedule was abandoned. INEOS Britannia will next face Alinghi Red Bull Racing on Wednesday.  

INEOS Britannia Team Principal and Skipper Ben Ainslie said: “It’s always tough in these light conditions. It’s frustrating but we made a couple of mistakes in some manoeuvers so we will go back and look at how we can do better in those situations. As we keep saying, until you get those five wins it’s never over. We know we can sail the boat better and set it up better so that’s positive, but you can never get ahead of yourself in sport, especially in the America’s Cup.”  

In marginal conditions, the race between the Brits and Swiss got going after three attempts at a start. The light air was combining with a swell left over from the previous day’s breeze, and it was reaching up to grab the boats, trying to suck them down into the water every time they slowed to tack or gybe. INEOS Britannia touched down momentarily in their pre-start routine and entered the box a few seconds late. Alinghi Red Bull Racing couldn’t take advantage though, turning back to start their run to the line a little too early. Ben Ainslie and his crew timed their start at the left-hand end perfectly, with the Swiss too close to the start line. They got a penalty for their early start and INEOS Britannia was into the lead.  

The conditions remained fragile though, and covering the moves of the opponent was not an option. No-one could afford an extra tack. The British crew was content to pick their own way up the first leg and went through gate one with a 17-second lead. INEOS Britannia extended that lead to 1 minute 10 seconds by the second leg, with the Swiss following round the right-hand mark of gate two. By then, the British crew were tacking at the boundary in some very soft breeze and came off the foils. Alinghi slipped past, and by the time Britannia was back up and flying, Alinghi was 500m in the lead.  

The breeze stayed a little more solid for a painfully short period – during which time Ainslie and co. started to reel in the Swiss – but as it softened again a second touchdown on a tack ended their race. The Swiss got through gate three and most of the way down the fourth leg before they too dropped off the foils and went into displacement mode. After that, Alinghi was racing against the 45-minute time limit to complete a race, with neither boat able to get foiling. The Swiss boat eventually crossed the line with 3 minutes 38 seconds to spare and put their first point on the board.  

The Semi-Finals will resume on Wednesday 18 September. UK viewers can catch all the racing action live on TNT Sports from 13:00 BST (14:00 CEST).  

• AMERICA'S CUP
• CLASSIFIEDS
• NEWSLETTERS
• SUBMIT NEWS

INEOS Britannia's new AC75 Race Boat revealed in Barcelona

Related Articles

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience.

• Search Locations
• Login / Register
• Television-Show

The Crown Season 5 Filming Locations: In Detail

The Crown Season 5 filming locations include Ardverikie, Lancaster House, the Royal Yacht Britannia, Chatham Historic Dockyard, Wellington College, Cobham Hall School, Winchester College, Burghley House, Brompton Cemetery, Greenwich ORNC, Lincoln’s Inn and the London Coliseum. Further scenes were filmed on the Netflix show’s extensive sets around Elstree Studios.

As the Netflix drama moves into the 1990s, it revisits some of the established locations for the royal palaces, and adds new settings. We’re also in for a change of cast, led by Imelda Staunton as the Queen, with Jonathan Pryce as Prince Philip and Lesley Manville as Princess Margaret.

Marcia Warren steps in the Queen Mother, while Timothy Dalton plays Peter Townsend for a brief reunion. Dominic West takes over as Prince Charles, with Elizabeth Debicki as Princess Diana and Olivia Williams as Camilla Parker Bowles.

New figures for The Crown Season 5 include Mohamed Al-Fayed (Salim Daw) and his son Dodi (Khalid Abdalla), Penny Knatchbull (Natascha McElhone) and John Major (Jonny Lee Miller). Flashbacks also give us glimpses of earlier cast members and filming locations.

Where Was The Crown Season 5 Filmed?

The Crown Season 5 was filmed in Chatham, Greenwich, the Moray Firth, Ardverikie, Knebworth, Wellington College, Brompton Cemetery, Somerley House, Eastbourne Pier, Winchester College, Wrotham Park, Lancaster House, Lincoln’s Inn, and more stunning locations.

However, with the show growing bigger each season, the number of sets at Elstree has also grown. The Britannia, royal residences and Downing Street are among the custom-built backdrops.

The Crown Series 5 Filming Locations

John brown and company shipyard.

We see the ship in two eras. After Claire Foy’s Elizabeth has launched the ship, we see Imelda Staunton’s Queen at Chatham Historic Dockyard as she boards the Britannia to sail to Balmoral.

And here’s where to watch the real Britannia launch! It’s right here on the BBC Scotland News Facebook page .

Royal Yacht Britannia

The Crown Season 5 Britannia scenes were filmed on the real Royal Yacht and a replica built at Elstree Studios . The recreated top deck of the Royal Yacht’s appears in the dinner scene at the start of Episode 5. Other parts of the ship were duplicated elsewhere at the Netflix show’s Elstree base.

In an interview with Elle Décor , production designer Martin Childs confirmed the filming locations for the Britannia in Season 5 of The Crown. And it’s confirmed that the lower decks were used. We think these are the engine room scenes, which show off the machinery visible from above on the tour.

You can visit the real Royal Yacht Britannia in Leith, to the north of Edinburgh. Visitors can see the real engine rooms, Prince Philip’s art supplies, family lounges and bedrooms on the now-decommissioned Britannia. There’s also a permanent Royal Deck Tea Room , if you want to dine like the royal family in the scenes from The Crown Season 5.

Balmoral Castle

Interior shots for the Balmoral scenes have been filmed at Knebworth throughout the Netflix show’s run. Knebworth House confirmed that it’s a filming location for The Crown Season 5, sharing the news online the day before its release .

Knebworth’s dramatic architecture makes it a popular filming location, and The Crown’s substitute for Balmoral’s Scottish Baronial style. You can visit this location easily – check for opening days and special events! https://www.knebworthhouse.com/

The exterior belongs to Ardverikie in Newtonmore - also known as Glenbogle from Monarch of the Glen. And the surrounding land appears in the show as well.

Balmoral Estate

Balmoral scenes for The Crown Season 5 were filmed around Kinloch Laggan and Lossiemouth. Kinloch Laggan is where Ardverikie is situated, and this is a real Highland location. Like the real Balmoral Estate, it’s in the Cairngorms National Park . This year, other locations add to the landscape for loch scenes.

The Crown’s loch scenes were filmed around the Moray Firth near Lossiemouth and the Covesea Lighthouse. The Strathspey and Badenoch Herald caught Imelda Staunton and Lesley Manville in costume for the scenes.

In the Season 1 Episode 1 loch scenes, Princess Margaret and the Queen spend time together in a boat on the loch.

Range Rover Scenes

Prince Philip’s driving scenes were filmed in Hertfortshire. Back in October 2021, Jonathan Pryce was spotted filming the Range Rover driving scenes - part of Prince Philip’s life outside the palace. In Season 5, we see the Duke of Edinburgh following his love of driving and of carriage racing.

Lowther Horse Show

According to the Stamford Mercury , the Lowther Horse Show scenes were filmed at Burghley’s grounds.

As the series goes on Prince Philip and Penny Knatchbull's friendship attracts controversy – until Prince Philip asks the Queen to give her approval. While the Netflix series raises questions about the relationship, there’s no doubt that Prince Philip was devoted to carriage racing.

The Duke of Edinburgh competed in the sport, notably the Royal Windsor Horse Show, until the early 2000s. As described in the episode, he sought it out as an alternative to polo .

Kensington Palace

Wellington College has been used as Kensington Palace in The Crown from Season 3 onwards. It appears again in Episode 4, “Annus Horribilis”, and other scenes involving Princess Diana. The Princess of Wales famously lived in one of the palace’s apartments after her split from Prince Charles.

London Streets

Lincoln’s Inn Fields appear in The Crown’s London street scenes as Princess Diana agrees to be interviewed for Andrew Morton’s book. The gateway is visible, along with the surrounding terraces.

Buckingham Palace

Wrotham Park has been used as the Queen’s audience room since The Crown Season 1. Over the years, The Crown has filmed Buckingham Palace scenes at Wilton House, Goldsmiths Hall and Greenwich Old Royal Naval College.

The palace’s portico scenes used to be filmed in Greenwich, but have been switched for a replica in Elstree Studios. Other palace interiors are filmed on custom sets at Elstree too.

The Ritz Paris

The Crown’s Ritz hotel filming location is Waddesdon Manor in Buckinghamshire. The Rothschild mansion appears in Season 5 Episode 3 “Mou Mou”. Look out for the dining room’s mantelpiece and mirrors. This room is seen in the meeting to buy the Ritz, and later when Mohamed Al-Fayed speaks with Sydney Johnson, personal valet to the Duke of Windsor.

Of course, the real Ritz Paris has taken on a different role in the story of the Royal Family, Princess Diana, and the Al-Fayeds. But in Season 5 Episode 3, we’re focusing on the Al-Fayed patriarch’s story and love of prestigious settings.

Bois du Boulogne/Villa Windsor

The Crown’s Bois du Boulogne locations are Halton House and West Wycombe Park. Halton House appeared as the former Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson’s French retreat in the Netflix show’s earlier seasons. It makes a return in Season 5 Episode 3. Look out for the exterior as the former king trains his valet.

Halton recently appeared in Enola Holmes 2 as the Lyon family home – one of many screen moments. It was built for the Rothschilds, who still own the nearby Waddesdon Manor, and as a result they share some architectural links.

West Wycombe Park is another original Bois du Boulogne filming location from The Crown Season 1 that appears in Season 5 Episode 3. Look out for it in the interior shots as Mohamed Al-Fayed and Sydney Johnson inspect Wallis Simpson’s house after her death. Halton House’s entrance and West Wycombe Park’s as the Queen’s representative removes Edward VIII’s abdication desk and letters.

As shown in the Netflix series, Sydney Johnson worked at the house in its heyday and during its renovation. The real valet to the former Edward VIII said, of the Villa Windsor’s restoration:

“I feel on top of the world… the restoration is so authentic I expect to see the duchess stepping down the staircase asking, ‘How do I look?’” Sydney Johnson, Valet to the Duke of Windsor and Mohamed Al-Fayed

If you want to see the real Duke and Duchess of Windsor’s décor, Architectural Digest has captured it in amazing detail . Everything from the clocks to the North Persian carpets is recorded.

Look out for Harrods in the shots of Mohamed Al-Fayed looking over his newest purchase. This looks very much like the real Harrods department store in Kensington, complete with its illuminations.

The real Harrods is a fixture of Knightsbridge to this day. But the prestigious shopping destination’s relationship with the Royal Family has changed over the years.

In 2000, Prince Philip withdrew his royal warrant. The store had held royal warrants since the 1950s. But after the Duke of Edinburgh declined to renew, Mohamed Al-Fayed spoke out to say he wouldn’t seek to renew the Queen or Prince of Wales’ warrants. Harrods then-owner elaborated:

“We are proud of the Harrods reputation as the world’s finest store and we naturally welcome discerning shoppers from all over the world… The royal family, with the exception of Prince Philip, are welcome to shop at Harrods at any time.” Mohamed Al-Fayed

Sydney Johnson’s Grave

The Crown cemetery location for Sydney Johnson’s grave is Brompton Cemetery in London. In The Crown, we see Mohamed Al-Fayed paying his respects over the gravestone. The engraving reads Sydney Johnson, Valet to the King.

Brompton Cemetery opened in 1840, and is still a working cemetery to this day. But it’s also a Grade I-listed on the English Heritage Register of Parks and Gardens and a precious green space. You can find guides to the well-known figures who are buried there, and popular walking routes, on the Royal Parks website.

Moscow Streets

The Netflix show’s Moscow scenes were filmed in Bradford. In The Crown Season 5, the Queen’s car is seen driving through the streets of the Russian capital, actually Bradford’s Forster Square area.

The Telegraph and Argus caught filming in progress , with Russian signage appearing on Holdsworth Street, Canal Road and Valley Road.

Windsor Castle

Look out for Burghley Castle as The Crown’s Windsor Castle location in Season 5. The famous Windsor Castle fire scenes were filmed at Burghley, and smoke billowing over its roof . A replica of one of its rooms was also used as a fire-damaged Windsor in scenes of the Queen and Prince Philip surveying the damage.

Burghley also provides St George’s Hall in Windsor Castle after the repairs. It appears in the scenes of Prince William and the Queen having tea at Windsor during his time at Eton. Look out for it again when the Queen and Director General of the BBC have a tough conversation after Martin Bashir’s interview is screened.

You can visit this Crown location – check the opening dates for the house, grounds and restaurant.

Guildhall Jubilee Lunch

Look out for the exterior of the ORNC buildings at the opening of the episode, as the Queen exits the car. She is seen walking into the Painted Hall, climbing the steps to its distinctive black and white floor.

The artwork has a royal theme of its own. Among the scenes depicted around the Painted Hall, you’ll find the accessions of William and Mary, and George I. And you can indeed find the paintings for yourself, because it’s open to the public – check the website for current admission details .

The Queen really did make her famed “annus horribilis” comment during the Guildhall Jubilee Lunch . In reality, the Ruby Jubilee banquet on 24th November 1992 took place just days after the fire at Windsor Castle.

The real Guildhall , with its 600-year-old Great Hall, is the home of the Corporation of the City of London, who hosted the event. While it didn’t appear in this episode of The Crown, it is a popular filming location in its own right.

The Eton town and school locations in The Crown are Winchester College in Hampshire and the Cobham Hall School in Kent. Prince William’s car passes the entrance to the Winchester College in Season 5 Episode 7, “No Woman’s Land”, before the press call.

Winchester was founded in 1382, pipping Eton to the post by about 60 years. Princes William and Harry’s former school was founded in 1440, on the banks of the Thames. As seen in The Crown when the Queen considers inviting William for tea, Eton sits just on the edge of Windsor.

Eton College

Kent’s Cobham Hall School appears in glimpses of Eton’s courtyard and interior shots. Look out for the Gravesend school in the press call and William’s lesson on Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot.

It was confirmed as a filming location by Visit Kent , along with other local spots appearing in the likes of Enola Holmes 2 . While Eton is an all-boys school and Winchester has only recently become co-educational, Cobham Hall is an all-girls day and boarding school.

It was founded by socialite Bhicoo Batlivala , who had attended another prestigious school, Cheltenham Ladies’ College. But the building itself boasts its own royal connections. Cobham Hall has been home to the Barons of Cobham, Earls of Lennox and Earls of Darnley. Over the centuries, the residents have hosted royalty of their era, from Elizabeth I to the Duke of Windsor.

Broadcasting House

It looks like a real glimpse of Langham Place in Season 5 Episode 8, “Gunpowder”, with CGI assistance bringing the BBC’s Broadcasting House back to the 1990s. Built in 1932 , the Broadcasting House building was later updated with the glass-lined piazza space that occasionally appears in BBC features.

Eastbourne Pier

The Crown Season 5 Episode 8 features shots of Eastbourne’s pier and seafront . Look out for several angles in quick succession at the start of the sequence before the Bashir footage is reviewed.

Eastbourne’s shingle beach is another location seen in the episode, as the race to halt or allow the broadcast begins.

The Queens Hotel

Royal Variety Performance

The Royal Variety Performance scene was filmed at the London Coliseum on St Martin’s Lane in London . The London Coliseum’s exterior is seen as the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh arrive for the Royal Variety Performance on their wedding anniversary. The real auditorium appears as well, with shots from various angles throughout the second half of the episode.

As a side note, while the London Coliseum has hosted the event, it wasn’t the venue that year. On 19th November 1995, the day before Princess Diana’s interview with Martin Bashir aired, the Royal Variety Performance was held at the London Dominion.

The Queen and Prince Philip would have watched acts including Cirque du Soleil, Allan Stewart, Des O’Connor, Riverdance and Elaine Paige. Thanks to the Royal Variety Charity’s archive, you can check out the line-up right here .

Prince Charles’ Hong Kong scenes were filmed in London’s West End . The area already has a strong connection to China and Hong Kong, through local expat communities and Chinatown’s restaurants and importers.

Journals and essays written by King Charles III were shared with the press after he took the final trip in the Royal Yacht Britannia. In the texts , he wrote about his thoughts on the journey itself and the Hong Kong handover.

The Theatre

While the Princess of Wales’ fashion choices influenced the costumes shown in The Crown, they don’t appear at the same events. As Yahoo Life UK point out, the blue dress Diana is seen wearing to Swan Lake harks back to a Jaques Azagury dress she wore to an event at the Serpentine Gallery in 1995.

The Crown’s Highgrove location is the Somerley Estate in Dorset. Somerley appeared in Season 4 as Highgrove, and is also set to reappear in Season 6. Filming took place in October 2022 , before Season 5 had arrived on Netflix.

While Somerley isn’t open to the public, you can stay at this Crown location. There are holiday lets on the estate – or you can host a wedding or special event at the house. https://somerley.com/ That said, you can visit the real Highgrove gardens . In fact, King Charles III’s private residence in Gloucestershire has hosted garden tours for 25 years.

Recent Posts

and RSS by Nancy & Eric Anderson Photographs and montages by Authors It would be hard to find any two cities in Scotland as dissimilar as Edinburgh and Dundee. They both lie on the East Coast in the land of the kilt but tha's about all they have in common. Edinburgh, the capital, somewhat prim and proper, sits above us all like its castle --- the second most popular tourist attraction in the UK after the Tower of London. Dundee, a formerly gritty jute and cloth-manufacturing, ship-building town, until recently had little of interest to tourists. Known in newspaper publishing as the home of the celebrated with its popular family comic strips, Dundee's most famous statue was of Desperate Dan, one of the characters in the funnies section. Until now. Both cities seem to have recalled the poem "Sea-Fever"; by John Masefield, Britain's Poet Laureate until he died in the 1960s. A fascinating man who served many years as a seaman, his poem --- faithfully learned by generations of British schoolchildren --- starts "I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky. And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by..." To a maritime nation whose navy kept the Empire safe for a century, ships surely fascinate. And now tourists coming to either city have a choice of visiting the famed 50 year-old, now decommissioned, royal yacht or the illustrious 100 year-old royal research ship , the sailing vessel used by explorer Scott of the Antarctic for his constant and finally fatal fascination with that frozen continent. Royal Yacht This yacht, 5,862 in gross tonnage and 412 feet in length, was a product of John Brown & Co. Ltd in Clydebank, the Glasgow shipyard that received so many unwelcome visits from the Luftwaffe in World War II. The keel was laid down in 1952, seven years after the war, and Queen Elizabeth II herself launched this, her personal Royal Navy yacht nine months later. Its top speed was 22.5 knots and its range 2,553 miles at 18 knots, a lower speed if her Majesty felt like economizing. It wasn't in the same league as, say, the personal yachts of Onassis or Trump but it had a more diverse crew. Its ship's complement, for example, was 20 officers and 220 yachtsmen; four of those were buglers something we don't think "the Donald" has on his yacht. Nor are millionaire's yachts commanded by an admiral. In its lifetime sailed more than one million miles as an ambassador for Great Britain and as a comfort and Royal Residence for Queen Elizabeth II. The Queen was visibly moved at its decommissioning in 1997 --- a time when Parliament felt continuing the concept would be too expensive. When the Queen came aboard as she did on 968 cruises with five tons of luggage and 45 members of the Royal Household, the orders for staff became more complicated from what beards might be allowed amongst the "Royal Yachtineers"; to what behavior was appropriate if crew met Royal personnel in the corridors (stand to attention and look straight ahead). For harmony and hush orders were given by hand signal, gym shoes were worn by Royal Yachtsmen and the teak decks had to be scrubbed silently and before 8AM. The ship's laundry ran 24/7 because staff changed uniforms six times a day. It was the only laundry in the Royal Navy that worked continuously. It wasn't an easy life for the laundry staff or in fact any of the personnel but they were all volunteers and all carefully chosen. might be fun for visitors can be seen in a short video when a tongue-in-cheek British TV celebrity got exclusive run of the ship followed by his cameraman. It's worth clicking on this link Royal Research Ship   although many of the more than 40 aboard were Royal Navy personnel and its leader Captain Robert Falcon Scott, RN did run the expedition along disciplined lines. The Royal Geographical Society ship built in Dundee in 1900-1901 for polar expeditions was one of the last three-masted-wooden sailing ships built in Britain. The Dundee ship builders had learned their skills in the great days of whaling. The ship was double hulled to withstand the challenge of ice and cost £51 thousand then about $5 million in today's US dollars. The ship was well provisioned by the government and by private gifts. Cadbury's, for example, donated more than one and a half tons of chocolate - a reason alone perhaps for sailing on ! The ship set sail for Antarctica in August 1901 and arrived there on February 4, 1902. The crew built a hut as a shelter and storeroom on a rocky peninsula then Scott allowed the ice to advance to encompass the ship as winter advanced into May. Many polar expeditions were carried out including early attempts to find a route to the South Pole. The ship could not be freed the following summer and, in all, the crew spent two years frozen to the ice while Britain waited, holding its breath. Relief ships arrived twice, the last time on January 5, 1904 but explosive charges failed to free . Finally on February 16, 1904 the last charge broke up the ice and the ship was able to return to England. The Hudson's Bay Company bought the ship a year later and used it as a cargo vessel. It was used in expeditions 20 years later, then in 1931 for 48 years it became a training ship in London for the Royal Navy Reserve. By 1979 the ship was in very poor condition but the city of Dundee had a long memory and brought home as a well-needed tourist attraction. The ship tour is very user-friendly. Unlike you are not barred by glass windows from some of the exhibits and the tourists in the Dundee ship get a better feel for what it must have been like to serve aboard. Maybe that's because it's hard for visitors in the port of Leith in Edinburgh to imagine they were Queen even for the day. Allow two hours for the tour in either ship. Both locations are beside mammoth shopping centers with good parking and several restaurants. Discovery Point even has a small café on the premises in the lobby that gives access to the ship. Tell Eric what you think of his article. In the meantime, here are some of the feedback we have already received: I’ve been there twice and covered it on my KNX radio show when I was on LA radio, and your story and evocative photos brought back a ton of wonderful and poignant memories. This could have been an amazingly brilliant military operation – as you both know – that might well have ended the War in Europe maybe a year earlier. However, allied misreading -- and in my view disregarding certain aspects of the situation in Holland -- plus the fact that they dropped the paras over 3 days and not in one huge assault at night (and not in the day as they did) doomed the mission to failure. Your clever words and great photos brought all this graphically to life, and it should be required reading for anyone interested in any aspect of WW2, and certainly should be read by today’s teenagers. Again Bravo and well done!!!! John Clayton Travel with A Difference We just couldn't leave your website before saying that we genuinely enjoyed the high quality information you offer for your visitors... Would be back frequently to check up on new stuff you post! Raanana * * * * * What a fantastic write-up! I could almost copy and paste most of your narrative verbatim as it reflects our fantastic experience with Fantasy Cruises almost to a tee. It was truly one of the greatest vacations my girlfriend and I have ever experienced. Cheers! Mike Richard, Editor, Vagabondish.com * * * * * One of my dreams is to go to Alaska by way of cruise. This article very much intensifies the longing for that dream to come to fruition. I simply cannot wait much longer. And I will never again be able to think of a waterfall without picturing myself "nosing up" to it. Thank you for this intriguing, virtual journey. Sandra Mines, Seattle, WA Loved your photos from Alaska! Because I am the Director of Sales & Marketing for Westmark Hotels, I am up in AK and the Yukon quite often to visit our hotels and staff! But your pictures were so enjoyable-love to see the "real" Alaskans! Heidi Howeiler, Seattle, WA Enjoyed your realistic and practical comments on Provence. Always wanted to go there ever since reading Peter Mayle's 2 books on Provence. But the two times I went to France, time was always short, so we spent our days in Paris. And now you say, it is losing its unique charm to tourism. (Sigh). It's always a choice between sharing beauty, and keeping it hidden. The world lurches on. Thanks for your thoughts. Dette, Iligan City, Philippines What a great article, especially regarding Louis XIV. I was not aware there was a contemporary account of his execution. It was fascinating. Thank you! Celtic fan, Nashua, MA Nancy and Eric, Enjoyed reading your article on Santa Fe, NM. I was in AZ travel nursing in 2008 and 2009 and made it to Santa Fe. Took a lot of pics and really loved walking around the old town while I was there. Hope to be able to take the wife there in the future. Brett Eidson, Soso, MS Hi dude! Nice to see your site. It's beautiful. My congratulations. New York Hi www.travelingboy.com! Your web-site is very interesting and I want to tell www.travelingboy.com G'night. New York * * * * * This is all genuine. I will return to scan. Keflavik Good article. On Behalf Of Diane, Port Ludlow, WA * * * * * When I was hurt in a boat accident my life would be changed totally. I really don't post much but thanks for the good times I have here. Love this place. Long time lurker, thought I would say hello! Miami * * * * * Dear friends, My name is Adelina. I am a 22 years girl from Italy. I was looking for a free translation software and I found one. Program's name is Babel Fish and it supports 75 languages. I installed it but I could not understand how to use it. I am not a computer expert. Can someone help me please on how to run this.The link is here :http://access.im/3/babelfish. I thank you very much for your help. Adelina, Celaya * * * * * Amiable brief and this mail helped me a lot in my college assignment. Thanks you seeking your information. WordPress Themes, Gray Mountain * * * * * What's up everyone? Great forum. Lots of lovely people. Just what I need. Hopefully this is just what i'm looking for. Looks like I have a lot to read. Spanish John, Benidrom Nice dispatch (http://www.travelingboy.com/travel-eric.html) - and this enter helped me a lot in my college assignement. Thank you as your information. Gray Mountain * * * * * Hello people, I just signed up on this splendid community forum and wanted to say hey there! Have a wonderful day! Jacksonville * * * * * What a fascinating bit of Russian history you wrote about! How sad to learn that 100,000 churches were reduced to create skating rinks and such during the revolution, after seeing the photo of the interior of a magnificent church filled with art! War is so devastating on so many levels! The art of their culture is so beautiful as is shown in the image of the painted box! Thank you, Yoka, Westlake Village, CA Interesting observations.... Very informative and thought provoking. Questions.... What would be the best way to get from Moscow Airport DME to boat dock? taxi? prearranged limo? prepaid Viking Tours transfer? Any idea on cost and travel time for taxi or limo or Viking Cruise pickup from airport to boat? We shall be flying to Moscow on our own. Do you happen to have an address for the river boat dock that Viking Cruises uses in Moscow? I would be nice to Google map the situation. Thanks, Robert Hopwood, Ottawa, Canada . and at . Good luck. Great show Canada’s putting on for the Olympics! Your blog keeps getting better and better! Your older articles are not as good as newer ones you have a lot more creativity and originality now keep it up! Reseller Hosting, London Dear Nancy and Eric Thank you so much for the wonderful article on statues in Europe. Statues are my favorite art form and your descriptions were delightful to read - knowledge and fun together. I do still wonder about that foot in Rome... Peggy - Pasadena, CA I live in Santa Fe and see and delight in it every day, but your writing makes it sparkle even more. How nice to see Santa Fe through your eyes. Great photos! Cynthia Whitney-Ward - Santa Fe, NM Dear Dr. Anderson: I have followed your writing career for as long as I can remember, and I think the thing I enjoy the most about your travel writing is the sense of joy and discovery that leads the reader to anticipate ever corner you turn in your travels.What a delightful traveling companion you are, and I know have always been, with that wonderfully eternally youthful joie de vivre...I wonder:do you feel that East, West, home is best? And where IS that place you have never been, but want to go most of all,yet? Bring we, your devoted readers ever along! CAT -- San Diego (Scrips Ranch), CA * * * * * What a fantastic primer on New York City. I think you have really captured its essence with this exciting overview of its offerings. Well done! Gillian Abramson - New York * * * * * You describe a city on wheels - er, wings - and an absolutely perfect way to travel. SHOWERS & FLOWERS! Amazing! I love that your passion for all-things-aviation comes through in this story about an almost unbelievable airplane. Thanks for breaking the news in such an engaging way! Richard Frisbie - Saugerties, New York * * * * * Enjoyed your blog on Romania. Noticed you called Bucharest "The Paris of the East." I wonder, is there any city not called "The Paris of something." I've read San Francisco is 'the Paris of the West,' Buenos Aires 'The Paris of South America,' and even Tromso, Norway 'The Paris of the Arctic.' Terry Cowan - Fresno * * * * * Eric - Enjoyed your article on Madrid. I noticed that you find it superior to Rome. Most of the Spanish folks that I meet seem to prefer Barcelona. How would you rate that city? Samuel K Seattle * * * * * Great article on Madrid. I've heard there is a rivalry between the people of Madrid and Barcelona. In which city are the people friendlier? How about for hipness? I noticed you were Scottish. I felt a similar thing in Scotland, with a Glasgow v. Edinburgh vibe. Gary Santa Monica * * * * * Dear Eric, I liked the article. As I read it, I was wondering how you as a physician were influenced by Hippocrates. What influence did this historical figure have on the practice of medicine beyond the obvious 'oath.' Why is Hippocrates considered to be such a paragon of medicine? DWA - San Pedro, CA * * * * * Stay tuned. INEOS Britannia opens Louis Vuitton Cup Semi-Final in impressive style The Semi-Final of the Louis Vuitton Cup (Challenger Selection Series) began with two back-to-back wins in impressive style for INEOS Britannia. Ben Ainslie and his America’s Cup challenger team, INEOS Britannia, representing the Royal Yacht Squadron Ltd, wasted no time in locking in two race wins on the first day of their Challenger Semi-Final. This is a first to win five race series and with the speed and handling the Ineos team displayed, it highlighted the improvements they have made through the prelim and challenger series, finding new perfomance highs at every outing. It appears that unlike their previous AC75, this new iteration has the basics in place and the team – crew and designers – have the ability to refine and tweak that at every opportunity. Not to get carried away, the two semi-finals were in stark contrast . . . The ease of the British wins although expected, and the closeness of the Italian and American races. I fancy that the Final will be a very different affair. Also interesting to note that American Magic has yet to win a race since Paul Goodison was sidelined by injury. In their first race, the Swiss led across the start line, but INEOS Britannia was hot on their heels and round gate 1 with an 11sec lead. On the second leg, INEOS Britannia’s displayed their impressive downwind speed to claw back 120m to catch the Swiss and round second gate with a 26sec lead. This then increased at the third gate, and after a slow maneuver caused Alinghi Red Bull Racing to fall off their foils on the fourth leg, INEOS Britannia powered even further ahead. With the lighter winds, Ainslie and the crew worked hard to sail fast and clean and managed to cross the finish line with a 1300m and 2min 05secs lead. The second race had a dramatic pre-start, with Alinghi falling off their foils, drifting off the course and incurring a penalty. The Swiss request to use their 15-minute delay card was turned down. Alinghi were then dealt another blow, with a second penalty for a late entry into the pre-start. INEOS Britannia also had a tricky moment in the light air, with them almost falling off their foils too but managing to recover and build speed in the approach to the start line. The Brits then dominated the race rounding Gate 1 with a 1m 18sec lead and then extending to a 1370m lead at the finish line, to take second win over Alinghi by 1m 37sec. It was good to see the dominance of the Brits when compared with the tigher competition in the two Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli (ITA) versus New York Yacht Club American Magic (USA) matches. In the first American Magic played its 15-minute delay card due to a suspected cyclor issue. The USA team managed to resolve the issue to nail the start and lead the way across the line. The Italians were hunting them down though and eventuall managed to steal the lead on the penultimate leg, and caught them at Gate 4 and then led at gate 5 by 22sec. Going on to take a tight 7 sec win over Americans. The second race between the pair ended with the same result, although the Americans did take control early on in the race, leading at gate 1 by 10sec. American Magic fell behind after a maneuver error at gate 2, and although the lead changed on the legs, Luna Rossa led rounf all the gates to secure an 18sec victory and their second win of the day. Ineos Britannia and Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli each take a 2 – 0 win lead in their Semi-Final after day 1 of racing. The second day of the Semi-Final takes place on Sunday from 13:00 BST (14:00 CEST) with a further two races scheduled for each pairing. watch live here on Sailweb.co.uk Related Post: Day 1 of the Louis Vuitton Cup Semi-Finals in Barcelona – GBR v SUI and USA v ITA Day 1 of the Louis Vuitton Cup Semi-Finals in Barcelona - GBR v SUI and USA v ITA Maxi yacht rolex cup - inaugural rolex ima maxi 1 world championship. TEAMS ON THE BRINK ON DAY THREE OF THE LOUIS VUITTON CUP SEMI-FINALS For two of the most famous yacht clubs in the world, both with winning histories in the America’s Cup, today could see the end of their representative team’s challenges by two clubs that have never won the Cup. The Société Nautique de Genève, that won the Cup in 2003 and defended in 2007, and the New York Yacht Club that famously still holds the record for the longest winning sporting streak in sports history, having defended the trophy for 132 years, know that any defeat today and their challenges will be extinguished by the Royal Yacht Squadron and the Circolo della Vela Sicilia, respectively. The teams, Alinghi Red Bull Racing and NYYC American Magic both stand on the brink of elimination at 4-0 down in this first-to-five series and, with no room for error, it’s a considerable challenge to stage a come back. That’s not to say that it hasn’t been done before or can’t be done this time – the America’s Cup has a tradition of noble fightbacks from the cliff-edge of elimination, but with INEOS Britannia and Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli both performing at a very high level, it’s a tough ask. Mother Nature often has her say in sailing competitions and today the conditions look tricky. After a morning of bright sunshine with the wind draining off from the north, as the afternoon progresses the forecasters are suggesting a six to nine-knot southerly ‘Migjorn.’ Recent days have seen more, much more, than expected as the velocity of southerly airflow is dictated by a number of variables, including offshore wind patterns and the effects of the mistral to the north. The Port Vell is a busy place at the moment with an armada of yachts of all sizes in harbour, matched by the crowds at the free-to-enter Fanzones at Bogatell and Plaça del Mar whilst the Official Race Village along the Moll de la Fusta has been thronged with engaged fans thoroughly enjoying the spectacle of the Louis Vuitton Cup on a daily basis. CHECK BACK HERE FOR LIVE UPDATES FROM THE RACECOURSE STARTING AT 14:00 CET Alinghi Red Bull Racing (Port Entry) vs. INEOS Britannia Now or never for the Swiss, this is do-or-die as they stand on the brink of elimination. Lose and their campaign ends abruptly. Win and it’s game on. Conditions are light and tricky so both boats are on their biggest J1 jibs. After a short delay due to failing the wind-limit, the race got underway with both boats struggling to maintain flight and keeping a very notable distance between each other to avoid the effects of wing-wash. On the lead back to the line, Britannia gybe on the face of Alinghi Red Bull Racing and set up to start to leeward, forcing the Swiss above the start line. As both boats ducked back behind the line for the final approaches at the port end, the pair wound up and the Swiss were called over the line by just 4 metres and the subsequent 75 metre get-behind penalty could be telling. Long race to come though, and plenty of jeopardy. Britannia holds the initial advantage and up the first windward leg it is all about pressure spotting and keeping manoeuvres to a minimum. At the top gate, INEOS Britannia leads by 17 seconds and the Swiss split tactics initially down the first run, but at the first cross the British are ahead and gybe to cover. It’s close down this first run, and at the end both boats are sailing high angles to stay on the foils with the Swiss struggling to stay airborne. Britannia round the first leeward gate with the margin up to one minute and 10 seconds but on the first tack at the boundary, the British fall off the foils and the Swiss take full advantage, riding high on their foils through their first tack to seize the lead. The British manage to get up again before the right boundary but then fall off again through the tack. The Swiss build a lead out to over 500 metres as the Race Committee shortened the course legs to a distance of one nautical mile. By the second windward mark, Alinghi Red Bull Racing’s lead was up to a full leg ahead as the British fell off the foils again, copped a boundary penalty and look to be really struggling in the conditions. For Alinghi Red Bull Racing, welcome news came over the headset that the Race Committee were shortening the course to just five legs but on the next gybe, with the leeward gate in sight, they fell off the foils themselves and now both boats are in displacement mode with the British struggling to get to the second windward mark. Now it’s a race against the race time-limit of 45 minutes as the wind shuts down across the course with the Swiss less than a nautical mile from the finish. Slowly they ghosted up the final windward leg, sailing super-wide angles to try and build speed. It was looking touch & go as to whether the sailors could will ‘BoatOne’ across the line within the time-limit, but in the final quarter the zephyrs filtered down just enough and the Swiss have a lifeline. It’s 4-1 in this side of the Louis Vuitton Cup Semi-Final.    Alinghi Red Bull Racing bt. INEOS Britannia INEOS Britannia lead 4-1 NYYC American Magic (Port Entry) vs. Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli After a short delay for the wind to build in, racing got underway with Magic entering the pre-start box bang on cue to make the cross but both boats are being super-careful to avoid wing-wash and keeping a wide separation. On the lead back to the line, Magic goes very early and attempts to catch the Italians on a port/starboard which is avoided and at the start both boats dip in from the windward side of the the line with Luna Rossa to windward. Immediately Luna Rossa goes into a high mode with more speed and all the pressure is on Magic on the drag race to the boundary. Both boats tack in sync but it’s the Italians with the crucial boat position to windward and Magic losing ground before being forced to tack mid-course to clear their wind. Italy and ignores the move and heads straight to the port layline whilst Magic sets up on the starboard layline. The delta is 17 seconds to Luna Rossa and Magic split the tactics downwind. As the boats come together mid-course, neither boat has gained or lost and the helms are looking for the pressure patches further down the course. Luna Rossa executes the downwind well, keeping manoeuvres to a minimum and rounds with the lead still at 17 seconds. Crucially Magic splits the course and heads right initially on the second upwind which brings them back in contention as they come back on starboard tack and force Luna Rossa to make a huge dip to avoid, during which the Italians get a penalty for a boat boundary infringement that is easily washed off as the boats split sides of the course. It’s all about the pressure up at the top end of the course now and again there’s a port/starboard incident with Italy getting another penalty for crossing too close ahead. Again the penalty is expunged easily, but at the top mark Magic has the lead with a three second advantage whilst Luna Rossa raises a protest for another close port/starboard incident in the final approaches to the gate. No penalty. Thrilling race, downwind at the first cross, Magic holds the starboard advantage and cross ahead but give the right side up to the Italians as both boats go to either side of the course before coming back for another cross. This time, Magic has gained a boatlength and crosses ahead to get to the right for the final approaches on the port layline. Luna Rossa come inside at the same starboard marker attempting to force an incident within the two-boat circle around the buoy and it’s a call that simply doesn’t work. American Magic take the appropriate avoiding action and sail around the outside as the Italians fall off the foils. In these conditions and on a boundary course it becomes almost impossible for Luna Rossa to build speed to re-attain flight and Magic builds an impressive lead of well over 1500 metres. All American Magic have to do is stay on the foils and this race is theirs. Down the final run, Tom Slingsby and Lucas Calabrese make no mistakes, converting the opportunity with great flight control from Andrew Campbell and Mike Menninger, scoring a brilliant win to keep their Louis Vuitton Cup semi-final hopes alive and take the scoreline to 4-1. This has been coming for a while. Great execution by NYYC American Magic. NYYC American Magic bt. Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli  Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli 4-1 America’s Cup : Gut gewählt? Sir Ainslie bittet Alinghi Red Bull Racing zum Halbfinaltanz Tatjana Pokorny  ·  13.09.2024 Europäisches Halbfinale: “Britannia” vs. “BoatOne” Europäisch-amerikanisches duell: “luna rossa” vs. “patriot”, halbfinal-duelle schon am wochenende, alle rennen werden live übertragen. Briten gegen Schweizer, Italiener gegen Amerikaner. Das ist die Kurzformel für die Halbfinal-Paarungen im Louis Vuitton Cup. Vor Barcelona tobt die Herausforderer-Serie zum 37. America’s Cup weiter der Entscheidung entgegen, welches Team die neuseeländischen Cup-Verteidiger ab 12. Oktober im Kampf um die verschnörkelte Silberkanne fordern darf. Davor stehen jetzt noch die Halbfinals ab 14. September und das Finale um den Louis Vuitton Cup ab 26. September. Weder die anderen Teams noch Beobachter und Fans waren überrascht vom gewählten Halbfinalgegners, den Sir Ben Ainslie am Freitag in Barcelona bekanntgab. “Wir segeln im Halbfinale gegen Alinghi Red Bull Racing”, sagte der CEO, Skipper und Steuermann von Ineos Britannia. Der viermalige Olympiasieger versicherte, dass die Wahl “definitiv kein Selbstgänger” gewesen sein. “Jedes Team hat seine Stärken und Schwächen, insbesondere in den verschiedenen Bedingungen. Weshalb die Vorhersage für die Halbfinalperiode ein wichtiger Faktor war.” Unser Fokus liegt jetzt darauf, Punkte aufs Konto zu bekommen und gute Leistungsgewinne zu erzielen.” Sir Ben Ainslie Weiter sagte Ben Anslie: “In aller Aufrichtigkeit: Wir haben unsere Entscheidung erst vor ein paar Stunden bestätigt.” Dabei habe das Team die Segler, die Coaches, die Performance-Leute, Analytiker und Techniker zur Rate gezogen. “Wir glauben, dass Alinghi ein guter Test für uns sein und uns eine gute Chance zum Lernen geben wird. Es ist eine großartige Position, die Round-Robin-Runde als Top-Team beendet zu haben und unseren Gegner fürs Halbfinale wählen zu können. Aber wir wollen nicht voreilig sein: Es gibt noch sehr viel zu tun.” Meistgelesene Artikel Wir haben fünf Rennen zu gewinnen. Und das ist das Ziel.” Arnaud Psarofaghis Die Antwort vom Schweizer Steuermann Arnaud Psarofaghis, dessen Team beide Round-Robin-Begegnungen mit Ineos Britannia verloren hatte, kam prompt: «Ihre Wahl macht Sinn. Sie waren Erste, wir Letzte. Was uns angeht: Wir haben die Chance, mit einigen Modifikationen am Boot und in der Crew durchzustarten. Wir haben jetzt nur einen Gegner, das macht es zu einem anderen Spiel.» Dabei geben sich die Eidgenossen noch lange nicht geschlagen. Arnaud Psarofaghis sagte: “Wir schauen morgen, was auf dem Wasser passiert. Wie Ben es schon sagte: Es wird unglaublich sein, in den Halbfinals zu segeln. Wir werden das genießen und das Boot als Team hart pushen.” Im zweiten Halbfinale treffen Patrizio Bertellis italienisches Team Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli im siebten Cup-Anlauf und das US-Team NYYC American Magic aufeinander. Ich glaube, wir haben das Team, das ‘Luna Rossa’ schlagen kann.” Tom Slingsby Für die Amerikaner sagte Steuermann Tom Slingsby: „Wir sind im Vergleich zum 36. America’s Cup ein ganz neues Team; das Boot funktioniert in einer größeren Bandbreite von Bedingungen; wir haben uns aus der letzten Kampagne weiterentwickelt; wir sind ein viel stärkeres Team. Ich war bei der letzten Kampagne von American Magic nicht dabei, aber ich glaube, wir haben das Team, das ‘Luna Rossa’ schlagen kann. Und ich freue mich darauf zu sehen, was wir tun können.“ Das Ziel bleibt dasselbe: ein Rennen nach dem anderen zu gewinnen.” Max Sirena Für Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli brachte Teamdirektor Max Sirena die italienische Sicht auf die Halbfinal-Paarungen auf den Punkt: “Ineos Britannia hat eine Wahl getroffen, die viele vorausgesagt hatten, die aber nicht garantiert war. Für uns ändert sich nicht viel, denn wir haben es mit starken Gegnern zu tun. Das Ziel bleibt dasselbe: ein Rennen nach dem anderen zu gewinnen und in die nächste Runde zu kommen. Wir sind zu allem bereit. Die Matches gegen die Amerikaner werden sehr interessant sein. Es wird spannend.” Schon am Samstag (14. September) beginnen im Louis Vuitton Cup die Zweikämpfe um den Einzug ins Finale. Ab 14.10 Uhr sind vier Duelle angesetzt. Den Auftakt bestreiten Italiener gegen Amerikaner, gefolgt von Schweizern gegen Briten. Die stärksten Herausforderer der doppelten Round-Robin-Runde hatten auch wählen dürfen, ob sie stets das erste oder das zweite Duell der beiden Halbfinalbegegnungen bestreiten. Sie wählten das zweite, das jeweils zu Beginn der Renntage ab 14.10 Uhr auch den Vorteil der Vorab-Beobachtung der Bedingungen und Entwicklungen auf dem Kurs mit sich bringt. Wer im Halbfinale ab 14. September zuerst fünf Siege erzielen kann, zieht ins Herausforderer-Finale ab 26. September ein. Damit könnte das eine oder andere Semifinale bei glattem Durchmarsch eines Teams schon am Montag zu Ende gehen. Bei maximal ausgeglichenem Verlauf wäre spätestens am 19. September Schluss, wenn nicht mehr Ausweichtage als der für den 17. September festgelegte Reservetag benötigt werden. Nur der Sieger im Louis Vuitton Cup erwirbt das Recht, die neuseeländischen Cup-Verteidiger im 37. Match um die "bodenlose Silberkanne" ab 12. Oktober vor Barcelona fordern zu dürfen. Wie die Round-Robin-Runden, werden auch die Halbfinal- und Finalbegegnungen im Louis Vuitton Cup via America’s-Cup-YouTube-Kanal hier übertragen. Zu den Ergebnissen geht es hier. Werden sich die beiden bislang besten Herausforderer – Ineos Britannia und Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli im Halbfinale durchsetzen können? Oder gelingt NYYC American Magic oder Alinghi Red Bull Racing eine Überraschung? Zur Einstimmung auf die Halbfinals ab 14. September hier noch einmal das Stechen zwischen Ineos Britannia und Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli um den Round-Robin-Sieg reloaded: Meistgelesen in der Rubrik Regatta Luxury motor yacht Ferretti 530 Luxury yacht Ferretti 530 was very keen to undertake in collaboration once again with AYT – Advanced Yacht Technology, Ferretti Group Engineering Division and Studio Zuccon International Project . The compact dimensions, 16 meters long and almost 5 meters wide, allow the 530 yacht to deliver grand Italian luxury and cruising immersed in such comfort until now unheard of in a yacht of this size. Ferretti 530 yacht boasts three revolutionary innovations: the full beam master cabin with chaise longue and two large open view windows that make it a real suite at sea level bathed in light, tones and the natural essences of teak. Moving the galley from the center to the aft section creates a unique open space that includes the saloon, galley, cocktail bar and the dining area, the cockpit area continues thanks to the tilting window. The roll bar free sky lounge and the spoiler allow the 530 a sporty appearance combined with elegantly formal lines. Ferretti 530 Yacht - Interior Riva , the iconic Ferretti Group brand, presented a new model at the historical Lake d’Iseo shipyards in July 2011. Featuring elegance and ease of transportation as its distinctive characteristics, Iseo superyacht tender , a 27 foot runabout, is destined to become a must-have for those who love cruising on both lakes and the sea, and, most importantly, design enthusiasts. It is also perfect for anyone wishing to enhance their yacht with an exclusive tender that will never go unnoticed. Riva Iseo superyacht tender Due to its ease of manoeuvrability and size, Iseo yacht tender is also ideal as a tender for large yachts. Innovative and elegant, it can also guarantee comfort in bad weather conditions. Besides the electrohydraulic bimini top, it was also designed with a waterproof, automobile-style soft top which protects those on board against water and the wind during cruising. Please contact CharterWorld - the luxury yacht charter specialist - for more on superyacht news item "Ferretti Yachts and Riva to attend Moscow Boat Show 2013". Charity & Fund Raising CharterWorld News Classic Yachts Coronavirus Cruise Ship Ecological Yachts Expedition Yachts Expert Broker Advice Feature Superyachts Interior Design Legal & VAT Yacht Issues Luxury Catamarans Luxury Gulet Luxury Phinisi Luxury Trimarans Luxury Yacht Design Luxury Yachts Marinas & Harbours Marine Ecology Marine Electronics Marine Equipment Mega Yachts Modern Yachts Motor Yachts New Launch Yachts New To Charter Open Style Sports Yachts Private Jets Sailing Yachts Social Media Sports Yachts Superyacht Crew Superyacht Photographers Superyacht Products & Supplies Superyacht Refits Superyacht Reviews Superyachts Uncategorized Yacht Builders Yacht Charter Yacht Charter Destinations Yacht Charter Picks Yacht Charter Specials Yacht Delivered to Owner Yacht Designers Yacht Events & Boat Shows Yacht Fashion Yacht Industry News Yacht Photos Yacht Racing Yacht Racing & Regattas Yacht Safety Equipment Yacht Support Vessels Yacht Tenders Yacht Videos Yachting Associations Yachting Awards Yachting Business Yachts For Charter Yachts For Sale Quick Enquiry Superyacht news:. Email Your Yachting News to: news @ charterworld.com Ferretti Yachts Ferretti Group announces its presence at Moscow Boat Show 2013 Ferretti Group attending Hong Kong Gold Coast Boat Show 2014 Ferretti Group Days 2013 to be marked by premiere of Ferretti 960 Yacht Ferretti Group to deliver first Ferretti 960 superyacht and Riva 86 Domino yacht to Hong Kong by mid-December Motor yacht GALILEO in the Maldives until October 9th offering 10% off remaining weeks 2024 MONACO YACHT SHOW: Only two weeks to go before the superyachts dock at Port Hercule Charter special offer on board 43m luxury yacht SUNRISE Superyacht Charters: A luxury alternative to celebrating Christmas and New Year at home Yacht Charter Etiquette: Essential advise for a seamless travel experience Luxury motor yacht SIDURI III for charter in the Western Mediterranean 10 sensational superyachts with spectacular swimming pools A luxury charter yacht is the perfect way to encounter New England’s fall foliage display 45m custom superyacht SAN will debut at the 2024 Monaco Yacht Show Inaugural CROYA Charter Show announced for 4th to 6th October 2024 in Split, Croatia 31m luxury yacht CARPE DIEM available for charter in the Bahamas Charter yachts offering citizen science opportunities around the world 55m superyacht YN20555 is launched by Heesen Yachts and named superyacht SERENA Late summer special offer on board 72m superyacht ARBEMA in the Western Mediterranean yacht le britannia 344 IMAGES Racing Yacht Britannia Photos and Premium High Res Pictures 86 Racing Yacht Britannia Stock Photos, High-Res Pictures, and Images The Kings Yacht ' Britannia in Race at Cowes on Isle of Wight , of the Racing Yacht Britannia Photos and Premium High Res Pictures Racing Yacht Britannia Photos et images de collection King Edward VII Racing Yacht, Britannia Stock Photo VIDEO Royal Yacht Britannia⛵⛴️ #Shortvideo #youtubshort ## Royal Yacht Britannia 7th August 1996 AC40 uncovered Royal Yacht Britannia Sept 2011 Royal Yacht Britannia's Laundry Room Royal Yacht Britannia ⛵⛴️# shortvideo #youtubshort ## COMMENTS HMY Britannia (Royal Cutter Yacht) Britannia was launched on 20 April 1893, a week ahead of Valkyrie II and joined a fleet of first class cutters that was growing fast as others followed the royal lead. In a highly competitive fleet, Britannia soon set about achieving the race results which would eventually establish her as the most successful racing yacht of all time. By the end of her first year's racing, Britannia had scored ... HMY Britannia Her Majesty's Yacht Britannia is the former royal yacht of the British monarchy.She was in their service from 1954 until 1997. She was the 83rd such vessel since King Charles II acceded to the throne in 1660, and is the second royal yacht to bear the name, the first being the racing cutter built for the Prince of Wales in 1893. During her 43-year career, the yacht travelled more than a million ... Sailing Yacht Britannia Sailing Yacht Britannia. In April 1893, some 20 years into G. L. Watson's trail blazing career, the royal sailing yacht Britannia was launched. The prestige associated with this order from the Price of Wales, Britannia's revolutionary design, enduring beauty, speed and a 43 year career in the ownerships of King Edward VII and King George V have all contributed to the Britannia legend. The Kings Yacht His Majesty King George V was a sailing and racing enthusiast. His beloved racing yacht "Britannia" was built in 1893 for Queen Victorias son Prince Albert E... The Story Behind the Royal Family's Yacht, Britannia Britannia's steering wheel was lifted from her namesake, the racing yacht HMY Britannia, built in 1893 for King Edward VII. Pool/Tim Graham Picture Library // Getty Images The State Dining Room on ... Royal Yacht Britannia Facts Everyone Should Know—and How to Visit The Britannia's Drawing Room. The ship's wheel was taken from King Edward VII's racing yacht, also named Britannia, according to Boat International, and the 126-meter ship could reach speeds of 22.75 knots, or a seagoing cruising speed of 21 knots, according to Super Yacht Times. Other fun facts: The yacht could produce her own fresh ... HMS Britannia: 10 facts about the Queen's former royal yacht 4. The wheel was inherited. The ship's wheel was taken from King Edward VII's racing yacht, a 37-metre gaff-rigged cutter also named Britannia.She was a near sistership to Valkyrie II which challenged for the 1893 America's Cup, and won over 230 races in her lifetime. 10 Facts About Royal Yacht Britannia 2. Britannia was the 83rd Royal Yacht. King George VI, Elizabeth II's father, had first commissioned the royal yacht that would become Britannia in 1952. The previous official boat had belonged to Queen Victoria and was rarely used. The tradition of royal yachts had been started by Charles II in 1660. The Royal Yacht Britannia The steering wheel was reclaimed from Britannia's namesake, King Edward VII's 1893 racing yacht; a wheelhouse wheel came from George V's racing yacht; and a gold-and-white binnacle (housing ... Everything you need to know about Queen Elizabeth's Yacht Britannia In service from 1954 until 1997, HMY Britannia is the former royal yacht of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. She was the 83rd such vessel since King Charles II acceded to the British throne in ... History Many yacht owners took up the gauntlet, including Herbert Weld who had the beautiful Lulworth built especially to race against Britannia. Although Britannia was the oldest yacht in the circuit, regular updates to her rig made her one of the most successful racers throughout the 1920s. Britannia replica set to rule the waves again She epitomised the very essence of speed and elan in the glory days of large yacht racing at the turn of the 20th century, and during a race career spanning 43 years the 37m sailing yacht Britannia clocked 231 victories - a win rate better than one in three. Designed by the legendary GL Watson, the original Britannia was a cutter commissioned by Queen Victoria's son, Albert Edward ... The Royal Yacht Britannia: How The Queen created a floating home and One outward mark of their involvement in Britannia is the deep blue of the hull (Fig 2), which is borrowed — together with its enlivening band of gold leaf — from the Dragon Class racing yacht Bluebottle, which was a wedding gift in 1948. The main interiors of the yacht, meanwhile, were created with the assistance of Sir Hugh Casson, who ... Light wind stops racing as INEOS Britannia faces first defeat in Louis Related Articles Two more race wins and a near-collision For INEOS Britannia on day two of the Louis Vuitton Cup Semi INEOS Britannia, the British Challenger of Record racing for the Royal Yacht Squadron Ltd in the 37th America's Cup, has ended day two of the Louis Vuitton Cup Semi-Final with two more wins against Alinghi Red Bull Racing (SUI). Posted on 15 Sep INEOS Britannia opens with two wins Trust announces plans to rebuild 1893 racing yacht Britannia A charitable trust has announced plans to rebuild the iconic 19th century racing yacht Britannia. The K1 Britannia Trust revealed that construction is due to begin next year and the finished yacht be unveiled at the 2021 America's Cup in New Zealand. The build yard has not yet been announced. The green light comes after years of research and ... The Royal Yacht Britannia Official Website The Royal Yacht Britannia is scheduled to be closed 9 & 10 October for planned building works out with our control. Click on the Visit page for more information before you visit. Step aboard to enjoy a great day out! Buy Tickets To Visit Britannia. Fingal Hotel. What happened to Britannia? The fate of Queen's beloved yacht The Britannia's final voyage took place in July 1997 to convey the last Governor of Hong Kong, Chris Patten, and the Prince of Wales back from Hong Kong after its handover to the People's Republic ... Light winds stops racing as INEOS Britannia faces first defeat in Louis INEOS Britannia's result was also echoed by the other Semi-Final pairing, with Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli facing their first defeat against New York Yacht Club American Magic. Both pairings were due for a second race on Monday, but after the wind failed to meet the lower limit required, the rest of the schedule was abandoned. INEOS Britannia's new AC75 Race Boat revealed in Barcelona INEOS Britannia, the British Challenger of Record representing Royal Yacht Squadron Ltd for the 37th America's Cup, has revealed its AC75 race boat for the very first time. The 75ft vessel, code-named RB3, emerged from the INEOS Britannia base in Barcelona on Saturday 20 April for rig stepping and checking in preparation for her first sail. The Crown Season 5 Filming Locations: In Detail You can visit the real Royal Yacht Britannia in Leith, to the north of Edinburgh. Visitors can see the real engine rooms, Prince Philip's art supplies, family lounges and bedrooms on the now-decommissioned Britannia. There's also a permanent Royal Deck Tea Room, if you want to dine like the royal family in the scenes from The Crown Season 5. Royal Yacht Britannia Royal Yacht Britannia www.royalyachtbritannia.co.uk. This yacht, 5,862 in gross tonnage and 412 feet in length, was a product of John Brown & Co. Ltd in Clydebank, the Glasgow shipyard that received so many unwelcome visits from the Luftwaffe in World War II. The keel was laid down in 1952, seven years after the war, and Queen Elizabeth II ... INEOS Britannia opens Louis Vuitton Cup Semi-Final in impressive style The Semi-Final of the Louis Vuitton Cup (Challenger Selection Series) began with two back-to-back wins in impressive style for INEOS Britannia. Ben Ainslie and his America's Cup challenger team, INEOS Britannia, representing the Royal Yacht Squadron Ltd, wasted no time in locking in two race wins on the first day of their Challenger Semi-Final. Teams on The Brink on Day Three of The Louis Vuitton Cup Semi-finals On the lead back to the line, Britannia gybe on the face of Alinghi Red Bull Racing and set up to start to leeward, forcing the Swiss above the start line. As both boats ducked back behind the line for the final approaches at the port end, the pair wound up and the Swiss were called over the line by just 4 metres and the subsequent 75 metre get ... America's Cup: Gut gewählt? Sir Ainslie bittet Alinghi Red Bull Racing Weder die anderen Teams noch Beobachter und Fans waren überrascht vom gewählten Halbfinalgegners, den Sir Ben Ainslie am Freitag in Barcelona bekanntgab. "Wir segeln im Halbfinale gegen Alinghi Red Bull Racing", sagte der CEO, Skipper und Steuermann von Ineos Britannia. Ferretti Yachts and Riva to attend Moscow Boat Show 2013 Luxury yacht Ferretti 530 was very keen to undertake in collaboration once again with AYT - Advanced Yacht Technology, Ferretti Group Engineering Division and Studio Zuccon International Project.The compact dimensions, 16 meters long and almost 5 meters wide, allow the 530 yacht to deliver grand Italian luxury and cruising immersed in such comfort until now unheard of in a yacht of this size. yacht le britannia The Royal Yacht Britannia Has a Fascinating History—Here's Everything You Should Know. It doesn't get more majestic than Queen Elizabeth II's yacht. Seventy years ago, the Brita catamaran gulet powerboat riverboat sailboat trimaran yacht