Diksia.com - If you are looking for a unique and memorable experience in Edinburgh, Scotland, you might want to visit the Royal Yacht Britannia, the former floating palace of the British monarchy. This magnificent ship served the Queen and her family for 44 years, from 1954 to 1997, and travelled more than a million nautical miles around the world. Now, it is a museum ship and a visitor attraction, where you can explore its five decks and discover what life was like on board for the royals and the crew.
The Royal Yacht Britannia is one of the most iconic and prestigious vessels in the world. It served as the official residence and transport of the British royal family for over four decades, from 1954 to 1997. During its illustrious career, it travelled more than a million nautical miles, visited over 600 ports in 135 countries, and hosted countless dignitaries, celebrities, and heads of state.
Now retired from royal service, it is permanently moored at the Port of Leith in Edinburgh, Scotland, where it welcomes visitors from all over the world to explore its five decks and discover its fascinating history and secrets. In this article, we will take a closer look at the Royal Yacht Britannia, its features, its history, and its attractions.
What is the Royal Yacht Britannia?
The Royal Yacht Britannia is a ship that was specially designed and built for the British monarchy. It was the 83rd royal yacht since King Charles II acceded to the throne in 1660, and the second one to bear the name Britannia, after the racing cutter that was built for the Prince of Wales in 1893.
The ship was constructed by John Brown & Co. Ltd in Clydebank, Dunbartonshire, and launched by Queen Elizabeth II on 16 April 1953. It was commissioned on 11 January 1954, and sailed on its maiden voyage from Portsmouth to Malta on 14 April 1954.
The ship was designed with three masts, a 412-foot (126 m) length, a 55-foot (17 m) beam, a 15-foot (4.6 m) draught, and a 12,000-horsepower (8,900 kW) steam turbine engine that could propel it to a maximum speed of 21.5 knots (39.8 km/h; 24.7 mph). It had a range of 2,400 nautical miles (4,400 km), and could accommodate up to 250 guests and 271 crew members.
