It was November 8, 1997 and the Royal Yacht Britannia was paying her last ever visit to the River Tyne.
The floating residence of Queen Elizabeth II, the ship had been launched at John Brown & Co shipyard on the River Clyde in April 1953, a couple of months before the young Queen's coronation. Now, after 44 years in service, the famous vessel was being decommissioned, and was in the midst of a farewell tour of the UK.
The Chronicle reported 25 years ago: "In semi darkness and heavy rain the Royal Yacht Britannia sailed up the Tyne today to pay an emotional farewell to her public. On her final visit to the region she was met by the river pilot's launch with a crew of journalists aboard.
