What Happened To The Royal Yacht Brittania?

The Royal Yacht Britannia, launched by Queen Elizabeth II in 1953, served the Royal Family for 44 years and was decommissioned in 1997. The yacht was berthed at the Ocean Terminal, Leith in Edinburgh, Scotland, where it is now open to visitors who can take tours of its grand galleys or rent it out for events. Today, the yacht is permanently docked in Edinburgh, Scotland, and is open to curious visitors and welcomes more than one million guests.

The Royal Yacht Britannia was the first Royal Yacht to be built with complete ocean-going capacity and designed as a Royal residence to entertain guests around the world. It was decommissioned during an official ceremony attended by most of the senior members of the royal family. The Queen, normally undemonstrative in public, was reported to have cried at the decommissioning ceremony.

On 20 October 1997, HMY Britannia left Portsmouth on her farewell tour around the UK, calling at various locations. The boat had logged over one million nautical miles and is now permanently docked in Edinburgh. The British government, led by Prime Minister Major, decided to decommission the Royal Yacht Britannia in 1994, despite the costs being too great.

The Royal Yacht Britannia was launched from the John Brown Company shipyard in Clydebank, Scotland, on 16 April 1953. After completing 44 years of service, the vessel was decommissioned and is now berthed at Leith Port, where visitors can explore the majestic yacht. The conservative British government led by then Prime Minister Major decided to decommission the Royal Yacht Britannia in 1994, marking the end of the Royal Yacht’s iconic role in the royal family’s history.

Why didn’t the royal family pay for Britannia?

The cost of running Britannia was always an issue. Politicians raised questions about its financial value as far back as 1954, when two MPs lobbied for an investigation on why the yacht’s refurbishment would cost 5.8 million pounds, accusing the royal family of waste and extravagance. A government committee later dismissed the accusations. In 1994, the Conservative government ruled the yacht too costly to refurbish, when repairs came in at a whopping 17 million, but then briefly walked back on their decision a few years later.

However, when Tony Blair’s Labour government won the election, and the new government once again declined to pay for Britannia. Britannia’s final journey was to far-flung Hong Kong in 1997, as Prince Charles turned over the British colony back to the Chinese at the end of Britain’s 99-year lease. When they finally decommissioned the boat that summer, the queen cried—one of the few times she’s shown emotion in public. The boat had logged over one million nautical miles.

Today, Britannia sits permanently docked in Edinburgh. Visitors can take tours of its grand galleys, or even rent it out for events. Yet, despite its retirement, the concept of the royal yacht lives on: In 2021, Boris Johnson floated the idea of a new boat. However, a mere eight days ago, Rishi Sunak has scrapped the project—showing that, even now, the concept remains a controversial one.

What happened to the Queen’s private yacht?

The Royal Yacht’s final foreign mission was 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 of China on 1 July 1997. Britannia was decommissioned on 11 December 1997. The Queen, normally undemonstrative in public, was reported to have cried at the decommissioning ceremony that was attended by most of the senior members of the Royal Family.

Listed as part of the National Historic Fleet, Britannia is a visitor attraction moored in the historic Port of Leith in Edinburgh, Scotland, and is cared for by the Royal Yacht Britannia Trust, a registered charity. There was some controversy over the siting of the ship, with some arguing that she would be better moored on the River Clyde, where she was built, than in Edinburgh, with which the yacht had few links. Her positioning in Leith coincided with a redevelopment of the harbour area and the advent of Scottish devolution.

Entrance to the yacht is via the Ocean Terminal development, and over 300,000 people visit the Royal Yacht Britannia every year. She is one of the UK’s top evening events venues. On 18 May 2006, the Swiss-born Hollywood actress and first Bond girl, Ursula Andress, celebrated her 70th birthday on board. On 29 July 2011, a drinks reception was held on board Britannia for Queen Elizabeth’s granddaughter Zara Phillips and her then fiancé, Mike Tindall, to celebrate their forthcoming wedding.

Can Britannia sail again?

The line recently announced that its travel agent ship visits schedule will include three chances to visit Britannia.

The changes to the ship, completed earlier this month, come ahead of its 10th anniversary celebration cruise on June 6, 2025.

The refurbishment includes public spaces, suites and cabins; extension of the loyalty and cruise sales area; enhancements to the Market Cafe; and a “significant investment” in crew areas.

The children’s splash area has been upgraded with interactive water features.

Who owns ex Royal Yacht Britannia?

The Royal Yacht Britannia Trust Britannia is owned and cared for by The Royal Yacht Britannia Trust.

The Trust. Britannia is owned and cared for by The Royal Yacht Britannia Trust. Britannia is part of the Core Collection of the National Register of Historic Vessels, the official register of the most important British ships in existence.

As befits its charitable objectives, the Trust’s principal activity is to encourage as many people as possible to visit Britannia, in order to learn more about this iconic vessel and the ambassadorial role she undertook throughout the world. Since opening to the public on 19 October 1998, Britannia normally attracts between 350,000 and 400,000 visitors per annum, usually making it one of Scotland’s top 10 paid admission visitor attractions. Since first joining our national tourist board’s quality assurance scheme, VisitScotland has graded us in the 5 Star ‘World Class’ category. In addition, for 13 years Britannia received the highest quality mark awarded that year by VisitScotland, making it Scotland’s Best Visitor Attraction. The Royal Yacht Britannia has, for the second time, been awarded Tripadvisor’s No.1 UK Attraction andhas retained its Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best Award, which is awarded to less than 1% of Tripadvisor’s 8 million listings.

Click here to make a donation to ourCharitable Trust (SC028070).

Was Britannia repaired?

The cost of running Britannia was always an issue. Politicians raised questions about its financial value as far back as 1954, when two MPs lobbied for an investigation on why the yacht’s refurbishment would cost 5.8 million pounds, accusing the royal family of waste and extravagance. A government committee later dismissed the accusations. In 1994, the Conservative government ruled the yacht too costly to refurbish, when repairs came in at a whopping 17 million, but then briefly walked back on their decision a few years later.

However, when Tony Blair’s Labour government won the election, and the new government once again declined to pay for Britannia. Britannia’s final journey was to far-flung Hong Kong in 1997, as Prince Charles turned over the British colony back to the Chinese at the end of Britain’s 99-year lease. When they finally decommissioned the boat that summer, the queen cried—one of the few times she’s shown emotion in public. The boat had logged over one million nautical miles.

Today, Britannia sits permanently docked in Edinburgh. Visitors can take tours of its grand galleys, or even rent it out for events. Yet, despite its retirement, the concept of the royal yacht lives on: In 2021, Boris Johnson floated the idea of a new boat. However, a mere eight days ago, Rishi Sunak has scrapped the project—showing that, even now, the concept remains a controversial one.

Did Queen Elizabeth get a new yacht?

The christening of The Royal Yacht Britannia serves as a cheeky season opener toThe 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 theVictoria and Albert III. By the series’ season finale, set 44 years later, both the sovereign and the floating palace she christenedBritannia 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.

Did the royal family approve of The Crown?

As you might expect, over the years the royal family has been wary of giving The Crown its approval. And, as each episode gets closer to the modern day, the stories that Morgan is depicting are increasingly likely to still be quite raw. It would be “torturous” for the family to see more recent seasons, said Majesty magazine editor, Ingrid Seward,to Vanity Fair. “None of the royal family will watch.”

Nevertheless, occasionally over the last seven years, certain royals have indicated not only their awareness of the show, but that they may in fact watch and possibly even enjoy it. Here we look at some of the royal family’s comments about The Crown.

It was a comment that delighted fans of the show around the world. Last January, during the press tour for his autobiography, Spare, Prince Harry revealed to US chat show host Stephen Colbert that he had watched The Crown over the years.

Does the royal family still own the yacht Britannia?

Since 1998, following a successful national tender process, Britannia has been berthed permanently at the Port of Leith in Edinburgh. There are currently no British royal yachts, although MV Hebridean Princess and MY Leander G have both been used by the royal family.

Data about launch years from Royal Yachts of the World by Tim Madge.

• Mary (1660–1675)
• Royal Escape (dates unknown)
• Anne (1661–unknown)
• Bezan (1661–unknown)
• Katherine (first ship of that name) (1661–unknown): built by Phineas Pett
• Minion (dates unknown)
• Charles (first ship of that name) (1662–unknown)
• Jamie or Jemmy (1662–unknown)
• Henrietta (first ship of that name) (1663–unknown)
• Merlin* (1666–unknown)
• Monmouth (1666–unknown)
• Navy (1666–unknown)
• Saudadoes (1670–unknown)
• Cleveland (1671–unknown)
• Queenborough (first ship of that name) (1671–unknown)
• Deale (1673–unknown)
• Isle of Wight (1673–unknown)
• Kitchen (1670–unknown)
• Katherine (second ship of that name) (1674–unknown)
• Portsmouth (first ship of that name) (1674–unknown)
• Charles (second ship of that name) (1675–unknown); Charlot (1677–unknown); Mary (second ship of that name) (1677–unknown); Henrietta (second ship of that name) (1679–unknown); Izabella Bezan (1680–unknown); Fubbs (1682–unknown); Isabella (first ship of that name) (1680–unknown); William & Mary (first ship of that name) (1694–unknown); Squirrel (1694–unknown); Scout (1695–unknown); Queenborough (second ship of that name) (1701–unknown); Soesdyke (1702–unknown); Portsmouth (second ship of that name) (1702–unknown); Isabella (1703–unknown); Drake (1705–unknown)

Was The Crown filmed on the royal yacht in Britannia?

That boat, decommissioned in the 1990s, currently sits in the port of Leith, in Edinburgh. That said, The Crown wasn’t filmed on the original ship. Instead, an impeccable replica was made based on the boat’s interiors.

You’ll see how good a job the set designers did when you visit the yacht itself. It’s one of the most popular attractions in all of Scotland.

• Find your dream Celtic getaway with these top vacation packages in Scotland
• Related: Amazing things to do in Edinburgh

10. Northern Quarter, Manchester. Neither a castle nor a stately home, you’ll be forgiven for thinking that Manchester’s Northern Quarter is a little out of place on this list.

Why did they get rid of Royal Yacht Britannia?

A further refit at an estimated cost of some £17 million would be necessary in 1996–97 but would only prolong her life for a further five years. In view of her age, even after the refit she would be difficult to maintain and expensive to run. It has therefore been decided to decommission ‘Britannia’ in 1997.

In looking back at the history of Royal Yacht Britannia, one can trace the emotional journey of Queen Elizabeth II. Her affection for the vessel stemmed from deep-rooted sentiment, making HMY Britannia’s retirement remarkably personal.

June 23, 1994, was a dark day for Queen Elizabeth II.

While public perception of Her Majesty’s lifestyle revolved around lavish wealth and exclusive travel, of which money was no object, that generalised consensus remained far from the truth.

How much of The Crown is true?

Did Kate Middleton meet Princess Diana before her death? Did the Queen sneak out to celebrate the end of World War II on V-E Day? The Crown’s creator, Peter Morgan, has previously acknowledged that The Crown intertwines “acts of imagination” with real-life events, so it’s not going to be 100% accurate.

Below, we’ve fact-checked a few memorable scenes you may want to learn more about. (Warning: Spoilers for The Crown season 6, part 2 ahead.)

In Season 6, episode 7, a young Kate Middleton and her mother come across Princess Diana and Prince William while shopping in London. This interaction did not happen in real life. Diana died after fatal injuries from a Paris car crash in August 1997 when William was only 15.

Prince William recalled after his wedding that he was sad his late mother never got to meet his wife. “I think, hopefully, she’d be very proud. I’m just very sad that she’s never going to get a chance to meet Kate,” he said during an ABC interview, according to People.

Who cancelled the Royal Yacht Britannia?

No, the decision to decommission Britannia was taken in 1994 by John Major’s Conservative government as the ship was then 40 years old, had been refitted in 1987 but would have needed a further refit in 1996–7 at a cost of £17 million, which would only have extended its life by another 5 years.