For 44 years the Royal Yacht BRITANNIA was the floating residence of The Queen and other members of the Royal Family during many UK and overseas tours.
During that time, BRITANNIA became one of the most famous ships in the world, travelling in regions as remote as the South Pacific and Antarctica.
The yacht was built by the Clyde shipbuilders Messrs John Brown & Co at a cost of £2,098,000 to replace her 50-year-old predecessor, Victoria and Albert III.
BRITANNIA was named and launched by The Queen on 16 April 1953 and was commissioned on 11 January 1954. The name was The Queen's personal choice.
In BRITANNIA's first Royal voyage The Queen joined the yacht at Tobruk and sailed up the Thames to the Pool of London in 1954.
During its lifetime, the Royal Yacht travelled widely. It was used extensively on tours of areas such as the Caribbean, the coast of Europe and the Pacific, allowing The Queen to reach remote regions, and to travel around island realms.
Towards the end of its service, the yacht was used on visits to South Africa and Russia in 1995. The last time The Queen was on board BRITANNIA for an official visit was on 9 August 1997 for a visit to the island of Arran.
The Royal Yacht was designed to be a venue for official entertaining and receptions, as well as a residence for Royal tours.
It provided State apartments catering for up to 250 guests, and included office space and accommodation for members of the Royal Family and staff accompanying them.
BRITANNIA's State apartments contained furniture and recycled fittings from the Victoria and Albert, including a small gimbal table designed by Prince Albert.
The wheel in the wheelhouse came from George V's racing yacht BRITANNIA, whilst the binnacle on the veranda deck was first used in the Royal George (built in 1817) and since fitted in each successive Royal Yacht.
At the end of her life, BRITANNIA's complement was 19 officers and 217 Royal Yachtsmen and her captain had the rank of Commodore.
All Yachtsmen were volunteers who joined from the General Service of the Royal Navy. A Royal Marines' Band was also occasionally embarked, when on Royal duty.
About half served in the Permanent Royal Yacht Service and a number served onboard for 20 years or more; officers were normally appointed for a two-year period of duty.
Royal Yachtsmen were distinguished by their uniform, which was finished off at the back with a black silk bow, originally worn in mourning for Prince Albert.
By tradition, no shouted orders were given. Instead, hand signals were used, with written Daily Orders (updated by 'hot notices' if required) taking the place of a broadcast system.
Length: 125m
Gross tonnage: 5,769 tons
Foremast: 40.5m high (from the waterline)
Main mast: 42m high
Mizzen: 36m high
Top speed: 21.5 knots
Range: about 2,400 nautical miles
Time in commission: 43 years and 334 days
Distance travelled: 1,087,623 nautical miles
Number of overseas visits: 696
Number of home visits: 272
