Britannia yacht had five decks, each with different functions and features. The decks were:
- The Sun Deck, which was the uppermost deck and had a sun lounge, a veranda bar, and an admiral’s bridge.
- The Boat Deck, which had the ship’s wheelhouse, the captain’s cabin, the royal apartments, the drawing room, the dining room, and the veranda.
- The Promenade Deck, which had the state entrance, the state drawing room, the state dining room, the ante room, the royal bedrooms, the royal lounge, and the children’s quarters.
- The Main Deck, which had the officers’ mess, the officers’ cabins, the sick bay, the cinema, the laundry, the bakery, the galley, and the pantry.
- The Lower Deck, which had the engine room, the boiler room, the generator room, the workshop, the storerooms, and the crew’s mess and cabins.
Britannia yacht was furnished and decorated with elegance and simplicity, reflecting the Queen’s personal taste and style. It had a mixture of modern and traditional elements, such as chintz fabrics, polished wood, brass fittings, and paintings and photographs of the royal family. It also had some unique features, such as a Rolls-Royce Phantom V car on board, a garage for the Queen’s personal Rover, a floating garage for a launch boat, and a mini post office.
Current Status of Britannia Yacht
After its decommissioning, Britannia yacht was transferred to the Royal Yacht Britannia Trust, a registered charity that operates and maintains the ship as a visitor attraction and an events venue. Britannia yacht is permanently berthed at Ocean Terminal, Leith, in Edinburgh, Scotland, where it attracts over 300,000 visitors each year.
Visitors can tour all five decks of Britannia yacht and learn about its history, features, and stories through audio guides, exhibits, and displays. They can also enjoy homemade soups, sandwiches, and cakes, along with specialty teas and coffees, in the Royal Deck Tea Room, which was formerly the officers’ mess. They can also shop for souvenirs and gifts from Britannia yacht’s online gift shop, which offers a range of products, such as books, clothing, jewellery, and food.
