It’s arguaby one of the poshest things to ever come out of Glasgow.
Built by workers at the John Brown shipyard in Clydebank, the Royal Yacht Britannia was launched on the Clyde on this day in 1953.
Fit for a Queen, the yacht was the epitome of glamour. The 5,769-ton vessel carried a crew of 22 officers and 254 men and boasted a luxurious honeymoon suite that was used by royal newlyweds including Prince Charles and Diana. There is even a Welmar baby grand piano firmly bolted to the deck.
The yacht was commissioned by King George VI on 4 February 1952, to replace the 50-year-old yacht Victoria and Albert, but sadly the king died without every seeing the great ship.
Built in post-war Britain, Britannia was even designed to convert to a hospital in case of war. On board is an operating theatre, X-Ray room, dental surgery, and laboratory and accommodation for up to 200 patients in the royal apartments if necessary. Fortunately, she never had to carry out this service.
The 412-foot-long vessel did however go on to serve the Royal family for 44 years in total, and began her illustrious career on the banks of the River Clyde.
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Queen Elizabeth and The Duke of Edinburgh took the train from London to Dumbarton and were greeted by 5,000 children at the station on April 16, 1953.
Despite the heavy rain, more than 30,000 people came to hear Her Majesty say: "I name this ship Britannia” - a name that had been kept under wraps until that day.
Champagne was considered too extravagant in post-war times so the Queen smashed a bottle of Empire wine instead, much to the delight of the crowds below who were largely made up of the shipbuilders and their families.
Famously described by the Queen as “the one place I can truly relax,” the Royal Yacht Britannia was a home away from home for the royals until she was decommissioned in 1997.
Sailing more than one million nautical miles to 135 countries, the vessel also played a key role in Britain’s diplomatic work, allowing the Queen to serve as a host wherever she went.
Now moored in Edinburgh, with around 300,000 tourists stepping onboard each year, the ship remains the last of 84 royal yachts, ending a tradition that first began in 1660.
