Royal Yacht Britannia

Berthed in Leith, the Port of Edinburgh

Royal Yacht Britannia

Stepping aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia should be near the top of any list of things to do in Edinburgh.

Construction work on the Royal Yacht Britannia began on the River Clyde in Glasgow in 1953. Following completion, it was commissioned into the Royal Navy the following year. For over 40 years it was the royal family’s floating home as they travelled the world. In a long service the Britannia sailed over one million nautical miles stopping at 600 ports in 135 countries.

Six FAQs about the Royal Yacht Britannia

History of the Royal Yacht Britannia

Plans to build a new yacht to replace the ageing Victoria and Albert III had first been considered in 1938 during the reign of King George VI but in austere pre-war Britain, it didn’t seem appropriate. However in 1951, with the king’s health failing, the government decided to push ahead with their plans for a new yacht. Sadly King George died before the work was completed.

Built on the River Clyde

Like two of the great ocean-going passenger liners, the Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth II, the Royal Yacht Britannia’s life began on the River Clyde in Glasgow in 1953. 

Britannia was the latest in a long line of royal yachts that stretched back to the seventeenth century, when the Dutch gave the world’s first royal yacht Mary to Charles II as a gift.

Original designs of the ship had specified a dual role – a hospital ship to be used in times of conflict and a royal yacht. She was never used in the former capacity, although in 1986, during a voyage to Australia, without the Queen aboard, the ship diverted to Aden to help in the evacuation of those trapped on the beaches by an on-going war in the region. Over 1,000 terrified people were rescued and crammed into every available space onboard.

Sir Hugh Casson design

Both the Queen and Prince Philip took a keen interest in the design of the vessel, working with Sir Hugh Casson on plans for the interior decorations. Fabrics, furniture and paintings were selected by the young couple many of them taken from the Victoria and Albert III in an effort to keep costs under control.

Britannia became a favourite with all generations of the royal family but particularly the Queen who always said it was the only place she could truly be at ease.

A young Princess Diana was happiest when proceedings were kept informal, she was a very special guest as far as the naval crew were concerned. 

On one memorable occasion she was found in the Junior Ratings Mess leading the crew, or yachtsmen as they were called, in a rendition of What Shall We Do With The Drunken Sailor.  One remark in particular sums up the feeling and affection the crew had for her.  “There are 275 men aboard and every one of them is in love with Princess Diana.”

Ambassador for Britain

The royal yacht was more than a floating hotel.  It was an unofficial ambassador for Britain.  On what became known as Sea Days, Britannia would throw open the doors to the world of commerce and let British businessmen promote their companies and products to the world. The Overseas Trade Board estimated that between 1991 and 1995 the Exchequer benefited to the tune of £3 billion.

Britannia was finally decommissioned in Portsmouth on 11 December 1997.  It is now back in Scotland moored at the Edinburgh Port of Leith and open to the public. Today the ship is managed by The Royal Yacht Britannia Trust a self-funding charity based in Scotland

The yacht is full of history just waiting to be discovered. Leave plenty of time to make sure you see everything you want to. Remember if you’re a visitor to the city you may never have the chance to come back again, it would be a shame to miss anything.

WHAT ARE THE HIGHLIGHTS OF A VISIT TO THE ROYAL YACHT BRITANNIA?

• The Royal Apartments where over the the years Rajiv Ghandi, Sir Winston Churchill, Bill Clinton and Margaret Thatcher were only a few of the long list of the world’s most powerful people who enjoyed royal hospitality.
• Enjoy freshly made food and a warm welcome at the Royal Deck Tearoom.
• Visit the gleaming Engine Room to inspect the John Brown built turbines which drove the Britannia over a million nautical miles in its many years of service.
• The Wheelhouse, not on the Bridge as you might expect, is on the deck below. Yachtsmen unable to see ahead followed instructions from the officers through voice pipes.
• Admire the lavish State Dining Room, decorated with gifts received on foreign visits.
• Visit the Officers’ Wardroom, sometimes compared to a gentleman’s club, where officers would relax after work. Traditionally the captain did not dine there unless invited.

WHERE IS THE ROYAL YACHT BRITANNIA?

The Britannia is berthed in Leith, the Port of Edinburgh. at:
Ocean Terminal
Leith
Edinburgh EH6 6JJ

The Ocean Terminal area (2.5 miles from Waverley Station) is well served by public transport but if you’re driving there are plenty of parking spaces available.

VISITOR INFORMATION

If you’re visiting during the busiest periods and just turn up, the queues can be long so be prepared for a wait. However, many of the available tour options will let you avoid queuing and you can book online. But if you prefer to explore yourself, there are free audio guides in 30 languages to help you find your way around. A range of concession prices is also available.

For further information on admission times and help planning your visit, go to the Britannia website.