Today the United Kingdom and the world said a final goodbye to Queen Elizabeth II at a state funeral, which is taking place at Westminster Abbey. Presidents and prime ministers, kings and princes from all over the world are joined with hundreds of thousands of people who have lined London's streets. 



We decided to dedicate the article to Her Majesty. During her 70-year reign as British Monarch, Queen Elizabeth II has spent plenty of time on board boats in her role as Commander in Chief of the British Royal Navy. 

In 1937 the young Princess Elizabeth went to the sea with her parents, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, on the 128m Royal Yacht HMY Victoria and Albert, which was launched in 1899 and was in service from 1901 to 1939. 



In 1960’s The Queen and Prince Philip had their personal yacht – the 63 feet Bloodhound, built by Camper and Nicholsons and launched in 1936. Prince Philip often used to cruise on her with Prince Charles and Princess Anne. The family sold it in 1969.

Bloodhound is a classic racing yacht with many achievements, such as winning the Fastnet Race (twice), the North Sea Race, the Southsea to Brixham Race and the Round the Island Race.


Sailing yacht Bloodhound

The family continued to attend Cowes Week with The Queen on board the HMY Britannia



The yacht was launched from the John Brown & Company shipyard in Clydebank, Scotland, on 16 April, 1953. The ship's name was a closely guarded secret, only being revealed when Queen Elizabeth II smashed a bottle of Empire wine and announced to the expectant crowds "I name this ship Britannia… I wish success to her and all who sail in her". 


HMY Britannia

The yacht was in service from 1954 until 1997 and became the 83rd such vessel since King Charles II acceded to the throne in 1660. For over 44 years the Royal Yacht served the Royal Family, traveling more than a million nautical miles to become one of the most famous ships in the world. To Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Britannia provided the perfect Royal residence for glittering state visits, official receptions, Royal honeymoons and relaxing family holidays. Four Royal honeymoons were enjoyed on board, Princess Margaret and Anthony Armstrong-Jones being the first in 1960. In 1995 The Queen cruised around the Outer Hebrides islands of Western Scotland. 

The yacht was decommissioned in 1997. "Looking back over forty-four 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," said Her Majesty The Queen. 



Since 2017 Britannia has been sitting at a dock in Edinburgh and attracts more than 300,000 visitors each year. 

In 2011 Her Majesty made her 16th visit to Australia. During that tour, The Queen and Prince Philip rode up the Brisbane River by boat on October 24.

In 2012, The Queen led a historic flotilla of 1000 boats along the Thames during the 60th anniversary of her coronation with the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant. But before the show revs up the Queen, accompanied by Prince Philip, Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, took a nostalgic trip on the Royal Yacht Britannia. 

Queen Elizabeth II died on 8 September aged 96. She will be buried at Windsor alongside her late husband, Prince Philip. 

Credits: picture alliance; Wikipedia

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