royal yacht victoria and albert

Victoria and Albert [Osborne], HMY

Vessel summary.

Description

first British steam-propelled royal yacht; The Queen and Prince Consort made considerable use of this yacht with over twenty voyages to ports around the UK as well as a couple of visits to the Continent. In 1854 the name was changed to 'Osborne' after Queen Victoria's country house on the Isle of Wight. The yacht remained in service until 1867 and was broken up the following year.

Related people

Symonds, William

Related objects.

Queen Victoria's Visit to Falmouth, 1 September 1843

Her Majesty's Steam Yacht, the "Victoria and Albert"

To Her Most Gracious Majesty This Print of the Royal Yacht "Victoria and Albert", at Spithead, Monday Augt. 28th, 1843

The Cutter Yacht "Dagmar," 36 Tons R. Y. S.

Her Majesty Queen Victoria's Tour Thro The Fleet in the Harbour of Cork, on the 3rd of August 1849

H.M. State Yacht Victoria & Albert, leaving Gravesend with their Royal Highnesses the Prince & Princess Frederick William of Prussia, February 2nd 1858...

Related vessels.

Osborne, HMY

H.M.Y. Victoria and Albert (1899)

H.M.Y. Victoria and Albert was the third royal yacht to bear that name.

• 4 Footnotes

Recommissioned 17 June, 1919. [1]

Dates of appointment given:

• Captain The Hon. Hedworth Lambton , 1 April, 1901 [2]   (as Commodore, Second Class )
• Captain Sir. Archibald Berkeley Milne, Bart. , 23 April, 1903 [3]   (as Commodore, Second Class )
• Rear-Admiral Colin R. Keppel , 4 August, 1905 [4]  – 11 August, 1909 [Inference]   (and in command of H. M. Yachts)
• Captain Norman C. Palmer , 11 August, 1909 [5] [6]  – 16 December, 1913 [7]   (as Commodore, Second Class)
• Captain Douglas R. L. Nicholson , 16 December, 1913 [8]  – 7 August, 1914 [9]   (as Commodore, Second Class )
• Commander (retired) Henry F. D. Jelf , 4 August, 1914 [10]  – November, 1914 [11]   (and in command of H. M. Yachts)
• Engineer Lieutenant (retired) Thomas Killick , 25 September, 1914 [12]   (for charge of machinery, also of Alexandra )
• Rear-Admiral Hubert G. Brand , 1 May, 1919 [13]   (and in command of H. M. Yachts)
• Captain Richard H. L. Bevan , 29 June, 1921 [14]  – 1 January, 1924 [15]
• Rear-Admiral Henry T. Buller , 1 April, 1922 [16]   (and in command of H. M. Yachts)
• Vice-Admiral The Hon. Sir Herbert Meade , 1 April, 1931 [17]   (and in command of H. M. Yachts)
• Vice-Admiral (A I, Gr. ) Sir Dudley B. N. North , 15 December, 1934 [18]   (and in command of H. M. Yachts)
• ↑ The Navy List . (July, 1937). p. 285.
• ↑ The Navy List . (May, 1902). p. 309 a .
• ↑ The Navy List . (May, 1903). p. 311.
• ↑ The Navy List . (July, 1909). p. 392.
• ↑ Palmer Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 416.
• ↑ The Navy List . (April, 1911). p. 392.
• ↑ Nicholson Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/42. f. 457.
• ↑ Jelf Service Record The National Archives. ADM 196/44/389. f. 395.
• ↑ The Navy List . (February, 1919). p. 728.
• ↑ The Navy List . (January, 1921). p. 884.
• ↑ Bevan Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/49/270. f. 136.
• ↑ The Navy List . (February, 1929). p. 280.
• ↑ The Navy List . (July, 1931). p. 279 a .
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HMY Victoria and Albert (1843)

From wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

HMY Victoria and Albert was a twin-paddle steamer launched 25 April 1843. She functioned as a royal yacht of the sovereign of the United Kingdom , owned and operated by the Royal Navy , and was the first of three royal yachts to be named Victoria and Albert . She was laid down in 1842 at Pembroke Dock and was designed by William Symonds . She measured 1,034 tons burthen , carried two guns, and was the first royal yacht to be steam powered, being fitted with a 430 horsepower (320   kW) engine.

Steam yachts , first introduced in 1823, became popular amongst Victorian millionaires and Royalty around Europe. [1]

She was lengthened in 1853. She was 200 feet and emerged at 260 x 33 x 22 feet, displacement 1,382 tons, with new engines of 600 horsepower (450   kW) . [2]

She made twenty voyages. She was renamed Osborne , after the launch of HMY   Victoria and Albert on 16 January 1855.

Her Majesty's Yacht Osborne continued in service, conveying the Royal Family to their summer home, Osborne House , on the Isle of Wight . [1] She was named after the Queen's new estate.

In the 1861 Census , Osborne , 'and her hulk Blonde ' had on board, Master Commanding G H K Bowers; a master, boatswain, assistant engineer, quartermaster, 2 carpenters, 11 seamen, 3 stokers and 6 boys. [3]

On 15 February 1862 the Prince of Wales boarded Osborne at Triest , having arrived by train. The Royal party stopped at Venice, the Dalmatian Coast , Corfu and Ionian Islands. She received a 21 gun salute at Alexandria. The tour continued via Jaffa, Constantinople , Athens, Malta and France, to return by train. [4]

Osborne was scrapped in 1868.c.

King George V's Britannia and The Royal Yacht Victoria and Albert

Britannia, the Prince of Wales’s First Class Cutter

Britannia was ordered in 1892 by the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII) and designed by George Lennox Watson.

Britannia was launched on 20 April 1893 and joined a fleet of first class cutters that was growing fast as others followed the royal lead. In a highly competitive fleet, Britannia soon set about achieving the race results which would eventually establish her as the most successful racing yacht of all time.

By the end of her first year’s racing, Britannia had scored thirty-three wins from forty-three starts. In her second season, she won all seven races for the first class yachts on the French Riviera, and then beat the 1893 America’s Cup defender Vigilant in home waters

Despite a lull in big yacht racing after 1897, Britannia served as a trial horse for Sir Thomas Lipton‘s first America’s Cup challenger Shamrock.

After the death of King Edward VII in 1910 it was inherited by King George V.

In 1920, King George V triggered the revival of the “Big class” by announcing that he would refit Britannia for racing. Although Britannia was the oldest yacht in the circuit, regular updates to her rig kept her a most successful racer throughout the 1920s. In 1931 she was converted to the J class with a Bermuda rig. Her last race was at Cowes in 1935. During her racing career she had won 231 races.

King George V died in 1936 and his dying wish was for his beloved yacht to follow him to the grave. On 10 July 1936, after Britannia had been stripped of her spars and fittings, her hull was towed out to St Catherine’s Deep off the Isle of Wight where she was sunk by HMS Winchester .

Britannia’s 51-foot (16 m) long gaff, the king’s chair, tiller, some mast hoops, blocks and rigging, anchor chain and clock are preserved in the Sir Max Aitken Museum in Cowes High Street and the remains of her spinnaker boom are at Carisbrooke Castle, also on the Isle of Wight.

The Royal Yacht Victoria & Albert II

HMY Victoria and Albert (II) a 360-foot steamer  launched 16 January 1855, was a  royal yacht  of the  sovereign  of the  United Kingdom  until 1900, owned and operated by the  Royal Navy . Of 2,470  tons , the yacht could make 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph) on her paddles. There were 240 crew. From 1893 to 1896 Rear Admiral  John Denison commanded the royal yacht. Victoria and Albert was scrapped in about 1904.

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The Royal Yacht Britannia, Ocean Drive, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6JJ

Tel: 0131 555 5566 Email us: [email protected]

The Royal Yacht Britannia is open, start your tour on the Ground Floor of Ocean Terminal

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Britannia was the first Royal Yacht to be built with complete ocean-going capacity and designed as a Royal residence to entertain guests around the world. When she was decommissioned in 1997, it marked the end of a long tradition of British Royal Yachts, dating back to 1660 and the reign of Charles II.

There is additional information about Britannia's specifications and construction contained in the technical paper .

VICTORIA & ALBERT III

Britannia's predecessor was the Victoria & Albert III - the first Royal Yacht not to be powered by sail. It was built for Queen Victoria, but she never stepped on board, concerned about the yacht's stability. King Edward VII did sail on the Victoria & Albert, mainly in local waters and the Mediterranean. Having served four sovereigns over 38 years and not left Northern Europe since 1911, the Victoria & Albert was decommissioned in 1939. She was eventually broken up for scrap at Faslane in 1954

THE LAST ROYAL YACHT

It was decided that a new Royal Yacht should be commissioned that could travel the globe and double as a hospital ship in time of war. It was also hoped a convalescence cruise would help the King's ailing health. The John Brown & Co shipyard in Clydebank received the order from the Admiralty for a new ship on 4 February, 1952. Sadly King George VI passed away two days later. Not only did Queen Elizabeth II now have to prepare for her new role, but she also had responsibility for the commissioning of the new Royal Yacht.

BUILT IN SCOTLAND

John Brown & Co was one of the most famous shipyards in the world, having built the famous liners Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary. The keel of the new, as yet unnamed, Royal Yacht was laid down in June 1952. One of the last fully-riveted ships to be built with a remarkably smooth painted hull, she was finally ready to be launched 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 (Champagne was considered too extravagant in post-war Britain) and announced to the expectant crowds "I name this ship Britannia… I wish success to her and all who sail in her". You can read more about getting Britannia ready for Royal service by downloading Letters from a Fish to his Admiral (below), a series of notes and letters written by Acting Captain J S Dalglish, the Officer in charge of commissioning Britannia. John Brown continued as a shipyard until they sadly closed in 2001.

BRITANNIA COMMISSIONED

After the launch, Britannia's building work continued as her funnel and masts were installed, before beginning sea trials on 3 November 1953 off the West Coast of Scotland. On successful completion, she was commissioned into the Royal Navy on 11 January 1954. On 22 April, Britannia sailed into her first overseas port as she entered Grand Harbour, Malta. During 44 years in Royal service Britannia sailed the equivalent of once round the world for each year, calling at over 600 ports in 135 countries, including the United States of America, Australia, Canada and New Zealand.

ROYAL HONEYMOONS

Britannia was an ideal Royal honeymoon venue. The Royal Yacht was very private and could sail to secluded locations. Four Royal honeymoons were enjoyed on board, Princess Margaret and Anthony Armstrong-Jones being the first in 1960.

THE FIRST DAY AT SEA

As well as hosting state functions, Britannia was an ambassador for British business, promoting trade and industry around the globe. These British overseas trade missions were known as ‘Sea Days’ and an invitation to come aboard proved irresistible to the world’s leading business and political figures. The Overseas Trade Board estimated that £3 billion was made for the Exchequer as a result of commercial days on Britannia between 1991 and 1995 alone.

EVACUATION OF ADEN, SOUTH YEMEN

At 20:00 on 17 January 1986, the Yacht dropped anchor at Khormaksar Beach. Civil war had broken out in South Yemen and ships were urgently required to evacuate British nationals and others trapped by fighting. As a non-combatant Royal Navy ship, Britannia would be able to enter territorial waters without further inflaming the conflict.

DECOMMISSION

"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." - Queen Elizabeth II. View the entire Paying-Off Ceremony letter below.

OPENED AS A VISITOR ATTRACTION

After arriving in Leith, Edinburgh on 5 May 1998, The Royal Yacht Britannia opened as a visitor attraction on the 19 October 1998.

BRITANNIA WELCOMED 5 MILLION VISITORS

The Royal Yacht Britannia, now a five-star visitor attraction and exclusive evening events venue, celebrated welcoming 5 million visitors since opening in 1998.

OUR LUXURY FLOATING HOTEL, FINGAL, OPENED

In January 2019, our luxury floating hotel Fingal opened to the public. Fingal, a former Northern Lighthouse Board tender, had undergone a £5 million development to become a 22 cabin five-star floating hotel, berthed moments away from Britannia. In September 2023, Fingal was awarded AA Hotel of the Year Scotland.

TRIPADVISOR'S NO.1 UK ATTRACTION 2023

The Royal Yacht Britannia was voted Tripadvisor's No.1 UK Attraction 2023. What a wonderful accolade for our team who passionately provide a five-star customer experience to ensure each and every visitor has a memorable time on board. Britannia had previously been awarded this prestigious accolade in 2014.

CELEBRATING BRITANNIA'S 25 YEARS

19 October 2023 marks 25 wonderful years since Britannia opened to the public as a visitor attraction. During this time we have welcomed over 7 million visitors, a brilliant milestone to mark the occasion. We thank each and every visitor who has stepped aboard and look forward to welcoming many more to share our history.

Visiting Britannia

Tripadvisor’s No.1 UK Attraction 2023

Start your tour at our entrance, currently located on the Ground Floor of Ocean Terminal. Please note that tickets purchased in person are by card/contactless only. 

Please pre-book your tickets to guarantee admission.

Due to upcoming construction work at Ocean Terminal Shopping Centre , Britannia will be closed 25-28 June.

Click on the Visit page  for more information before you visit.

Step aboard to enjoy a great day out!

Fingal Hotel

Get away from the everyday aboard Britannia’s sister ship, Fingal.  Extend your visit with a stay in one of Fingal’s luxurious cabins, your own oasis by the sea. 

AA Hotel of the Year Scotland, AA five-star hotel and 2 AA Rosettes

Learn more: fingal.co.uk

Britannia and beyond: a history of royal yachts

In the opening episode of The Crown ’s newest season, the drama portrays Queen Elizabeth II’s consternation as she slowly says goodbye to her beloved yacht, the Britannia . Rhiannon Davies considers the history of the royal vessel and the traditions of monarchs at sea…

• Rhiannon Davies
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When guessing which royal home allowed the Queen to “truly relax”, the ivy-clad Balmoral or the handsome façade of Sandringham Palace might spring to mind. However, it was another – floating – residence that the Queen felt most comfortable in: her royal yacht, HMY Britannia .

This yacht features in the opening episode of the fifth season of The Crown . With the Britannia in need of a multi-million pound refurbishment, the Queen (played by Imelda Staunton) asks prime minister John Major (Johnny Lee Miller) if the government will bear the eye-watering costs. She puts forward a powerful plea, explaining: “From the design of the hull to the smallest piece of china, she is a floating, seagoing expression of me.”

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When was the first royal yacht?

The tradition of a royal yacht stretches back to 1660, when Charles II became England’s king. To mark his return to the throne, his Dutch allies gave him an extravagant gift: a yacht called the Mary .

As well as being built for speed, she was also designed with opulence in mind. “To give it the more lustre”, the ship’s exterior was “richly gilt” and “some of the best painters of the country” helped decorate its interior.

Read more about the history behind each episode of The Crown season 5:

• The Crown S5 E1: ‘Queen Victoria Syndrome’ and a second honeymoon
• The Crown S5 E2: Prince Philip’s ‘keeper of secrets’ and Andrew Norton’s book on Princess Diana
• The Crown S5 E3: exiled royals and the al-Fayeds
• The Crown S5 E4: the Queen’s “annus horribilis” and Princess Margaret’s relationship with Peter Townsend
• The Crown S5 E5 real history: ‘Camillagate’ tapes and a “war council” for the monarchy’s survival
• The Crown  S5 E6 real history: the Romanovs’ murder, and Philip’s “spiritual companionship”
• The Crown  S5 E7 real history: the introduction of Martin Bashir, and a royal education
• The Crown S5 E8 real history: Diana’s Panorama interview causes fireworks
• The Crown S5 E9 real history: the divorce settlement between Charles and Diana

Rather than relaxing on her decks, Charles used the Mary as a racing vessel before donating her to the Royal Navy. Her career ended abruptly in 1675, however, when she hit a rock in the treacherous Skerries – a cluster of islands near Northern Ireland, where many ships have been pulled below the waves.

More like this

Although the ship met a tragic fate, she started a tradition among the monarchy – since the Mary , there have been 82 royal yachts. As well as providing space for monarchs to relax from the stresses of ruling, they also had a practical purpose – deployment on diplomatic missions. Their role was especially important before the arrival of aeroplanes, as monarchs or British delegates could only reach other nations by sea.

While these vessels became a time-honoured tradition, they also moved with the times. The Victoria and Albert – one of Queen Victoria ’s ships – was the first royal yacht in Britain to be fitted with a steam-propelled engine, meaning it could cruise along at 11.5 knots.

• Read more | Queen Victoria and Prince Albert: what was their relationship like?

When Queen Elizabeth’s father, George VI , came to the throne in 1936, a royal yacht that Queen Victoria had lobbied to build – also called the Victoria and Albert – was still in service. However, it was decommissioned three years later, with its bronze-and-black hull starting to crumble.

When was HMY Britannia commissioned?

In 1952 George laid plans for a new yacht to replace the Victoria and Albert . She was to be named HMY Britannia (although this name was kept secret until her launch), and could be transformed into a hospital ship if the country was again plunged into war: the laundry room could be converted into a ward, and the main veranda doubled as a helicopter landing pad.

Tragically, a mere two days after Scotland’s John Brown shipyard received the order, the king passed away . But the shipyard still pressed on with making his plans for HMY Britannia a reality. Now, though, the new monarch, Elizabeth, was at the helm. She and Prince Philip altered the original plans, which they feared were too opulent, considering Britain was still rebuilding itself after the horrors of the Second World War .

However, it still had some extravagant touches. The yacht had a bespoke garage, so Elizabeth’s Rolls-Royce Phantom V could be brought aboard. (Later, Elizabeth stopped bringing her Phantom, which needed to have its bumpers removed so it would fit into the tight space, and the garage was used to store beer instead.)

• Read more | Where is The Crown filmed? The Netflix drama’s locations and their royal links

Elizabeth and Philip both had their own bedrooms, bathrooms and living spaces, which they designed to reflect their personal tastes – the Queen favoured florals, while Philip opted for dark timber. The couple also ensured a piece of maritime history made its way onboard: Philip had saved the teak binnacle (the housing for a compass) from one of Queen Victoria’s royal yachts, and it was incorporated into Britannia ’s design.

When did royal yacht Britannia launch?

Taking a little over a year to build, the ship was launched in April 1953 – shortly before the Queen’s coronation. With champagne still being seen as too luxurious for launching ships in the wake of the war, Elizabeth smashed a bottle of wine into Britannia ’s hull instead and proclaimed: “I wish success to her and all who sail in her”.

The Queen’s wish seems to have been granted. Over her 44 years of service, the Britannia made more than 700 journeys to countries in the Commonwealth and beyond, travelling around 1.1m miles. Many luminaries stepped aboard her deck, with political heavyweights from Winston Churchill and Boris Yeltsin to Nelson Mandela enjoying delicious banquets in the lavish State Dining Room.

Aside from diplomacy, the ship also became a royal honeymoon spot, with four newlywed couples choosing to take a romantic cruise on Britannia . Princess Margaret was the first to make use of the so-called ‘honeymoon suite’ when she and the Earl of Snowdon enjoyed a Caribbean cruise in 1960. Most famously, Prince Charles and Princess Diana sailed on the ship in 1981, when they toured the Mediterranean for their honeymoon – Charles brought a double bed onto the yacht during their trip, as all of the bedrooms had single beds.

It was also the site of many family summer holidays, with the Western Isles tour being a particular favourite. This was a relaxed jaunt around the western islands of Scotland, when the royals could enjoy barbeques and play games. Sometimes one of the ship’s staircases would even be turned into a waterslide, for the young royals to splash down.

• Read more | Royal historian Tracy Borman on the real events behind The Crown season 5

However, by the 1990s the ship was starting to deteriorate, and it was decided that “the costs were too great” to refurbish her. 1994 saw the announcement that the Britannia would be decommissioned; three years later, the Queen walked off her deck for the last time, shedding a tear at the yacht’s fate. Today the ship is a visitor attraction, docked in the port of Leith.

Although plans were discussed for another yacht to replace her, the world in 1997 was totally different to the one of 1952: air travel now reigned supreme, and Britain had lost its empire. The country was being steered in a different direction – one where a royal yacht no longer seemed necessary.

A former BBC History Magazine section editor, Rhiannon has long been fascinated by history and continues to write for HistoryExtra.com. She has appeared on the award-winning HistoryExtra podcast, interviewing experts on a variety of subjects, from Lucy Worsley discussing Agatha Christie to Sir Ranulph Fiennes on the perils of polar exploration

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HMY Victoria and Albert (1899)

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HMY Victoria and Albert was a royal yacht of the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom . The yacht was designed by the Chief Constructor of the Royal Navy Sir William White , launched in 1899 and ready for service in 1901. This was the third yacht to be named Victoria and Albert and she was fitted with steam engines fired by Belleville water-tube boilers. She served four sovereigns, and was decommissioned as royal yacht in 1939, served in the Second World War , and was broken up in 1954.

• 1 Background and Construction
• 2 Operational history
• 3 References
• 4 External links

Background and Construction [ ]

Queen Victoria had lobbied Parliament for many years for a more modern yacht – HMY  Victoria and Albert II dated from 1855, and won this expenditure after pointing out that both the Russian Tsar and the German Kaiser had larger and more modern yachts than Great Britain. Built at Pembroke Dock and launched in 1899, she was completed in the summer 1901, seven months after the death of Queen Victoria.

The vessel measured 380 feet (120 m) in length by 40 feet (12 m) in the beam with a tonnage of 4,700. [ Clarification needed ] The total cost of the ship was £572,000, five-sevenths the cost of the battleship HMS  Renown . During fitting-out the yacht had significant extra weight added including concrete ballast and even a large traditional capstan so the Queen could be entertained by watching the sailors work. This extra weight proved to be beyond the original design parameters and resulted in the ship tipping over when the dock was flooded – causing significant damage to the ship. Designer Sir William White was exonerated from direct responsibility, but lost confidence and resigned his role as Chief Constructor shortly afterwards.

Operational history [ ]

Victoria and Albert was commissioned at Portsmouth 23 July 1901 by Commodore the Hon. Hedworth Lambton , who hoisted his broad pennant . Nearly all the ship's company of 230 men of the old HMY  Victoria and Albert II were transferred to the new yacht, which with an additional 100 men had a total ship's company of 336. [1]

King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra visited their new yacht in early August 1901, and used it for the first time when crossing the English Channel 9 August 1901 to attend the funeral in Germany of the King's sister, Empress Frederick . [2]

King Edward later used the yacht for summer cruises most years of his reign, visiting various countries in Europe.

Victoria and Albert later served King George V , King Edward VIII and King George VI , and took part in two fleet reviews (in 1935 and the Coronation Review of the Fleet, 1937 ), but was withdrawn after the latter and decommissioned in 1939. She served as a depot ship during the Second World War , as an accommodation ship to HMS  Excellent , and was broken up in 1954.

During 1947, while moored alongside at Whale Island , her caretaker was Mr J.G. "Tom" Cox BEM , RN. He was responsible for the care of her contents, some of which were selected for eventual use in HMY  Britannia . Although there were plans for a new yacht to be built these were suspended due to the outbreak of the Second World War. Eventually HMY Britannia replaced Victoria and Albert in 1954.

References [ ]

• ↑ " Error: no |title= specified when using {{ Cite web }} ". 24 July 1901.  
• ↑ " Error: no |title= specified when using {{ Cite web }} ". 9 August 1901.  
• Archibald, E.H.H. & Woodward, Ray, (ill.) (1971). The Metal Fighting Ship in the Royal Navy 1860-1970 . New York: Arco Publishing Co. ISBN  0-668-02509-3 .  

External links [ ]

• MaritimeQuest photo gallery: Victoria and Albert
• Video of Victoria and Albert at the opening ceremony of Southampton's King George V dry dock in July 1933
• 1 Philippine National Police

Grace's Guide To British Industrial History

Grace's Guide is the leading source of historical information on industry and manufacturing in Britain. This web publication contains 161,975 pages of information and 244,466 images on early companies, their products and the people who designed and built them.

Grace's Guide is the leading source of historical information on industry and manufacturing in Britain. This web publication contains 147,919 pages of information and 233,587 images on early companies, their products and the people who designed and built them.

Royal Yacht Victoria and Albert

1843 The first Royal Yacht Victoria and Albert was launched at Pembroke powered by engines of 430 nominal horse-power by Maudslay, Sons and Field driving paddle-wheels, initially with considerable spread of sail as well.

After about twelve years' service she was retired from royal service and her name was changed to the Osborne (she was broken up in 1868).

1855 The Royal Yacht Victoria and Albert was built at Pembroke Dockyard, constructed of wood, and was propelled by paddle-wheels with machinery made by Messrs. Penn .

1897 A new royal yacht, also Victoria and Albert, was laid down at Pembroke Dockyard towards the end of 1897

1899 Named and launched by H.R.H. the Duchess of York. The vessel was constructed of steel to the design of Sir William White, Director of Naval Construction; engines and boilers were by Messrs. Humphrys and Tennant . After machinery trials the vessel was to be taken to Portsmouth, for decoration and furnishing Messrs. Waring for service in summer 1900.

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• The Engineer 1899/05/12

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HMY Victoria and Albert (1899)

HMY Victoria and Albert

Sailing Ship Collection of Paintings

Royal yacht HMY Victoria and Albert , the third ship of the Royal Navy  to carry the name, was built in 1899 in Pembroke Dock, Wales. She was commissioned at Portsmouth shortly after Queen Victoria’s death in 1901, becoming the official royal yacht of King Edward VII. A beautiful ship, the splendor of her elegant lines and opulent furnishings provided a regal presence to many royal occasions and regattas across Europe. King Edward VII was known to have frequently traveled to European countries during the summer months on board the royal yacht.

As the largest and most magnificent royal yacht in Europe, Victoria and Albert III served three monarchs, (four if you count the brief reign of King Edward VIII). she carried King George V and Queen Mary at the Jubilee Review of 1935, then, in 1937, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth at the Coronation Fleet Review. Elizabeth, the future Queen of England, age 11, was also present. Although not the largest review, it did in technological terms represent the peak of British Naval power. However the Coronation Fleet Review of 1937 was to be  HMY Victoria and Albert’s last fleet review. In 1939 at the brink of World War II she was decommissioned. In 1954 she was broken up and replaced by royal yacht HMY Britannia .

She is depicted in this painting performing her royal duties in the mid 1930’s during a review of the British Fleet in the Solent. On her port quarter are Queen Elizabeth class battleships, and on her starboard are anchored the battle cruisers HMS Repulse and HMS Hood .

Outstanding selection of captioned photographs of HMY Victoria and Albert (1899)

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HMY Victoria & Albert( II) (1855); Royal/ceremonial vessel; Yacht

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David and Victoria Beckham Spend Easter on a $20 Million Superyacht

By Katie Schultz

David and Victoria Beckham were, apparently, in need of a bigger boat. The power couple reportedly upgraded their $6.5 million, 100-foot-long yacht , the Riva Argo 90, to a $20 million Italian superyacht, the Riva 130 Bellissima. 130 feet long with a volume of 299 gross tons, the 2022-built structure boasts plenty of space for the A-list family to sprawl out.

The pair were photographed last week riding a dinghy out to the watercraft along with their children Harper, Romeo, Cruz, and Brooklyn, who brought his wife , Nicola Peltz Beckham. It’s not entirely clear if the soccer legend purchased or merely chartered the yacht, but some outlets have been speculating that he owns it outright, a theory supported by the fact that the boat has been customized with the name “Seven,” which is both Beckham’s former jersey number and Harper’s middle name.

The Beckhams continued to celebrate Easter weekend aboard the vessel; Victoria , David , and Brooklyn all shared Instagram photos of themselves wearing bunny ears on the sleek silver watercraft alongside holiday well-wishes in their photo captions.

As chef Joshua Weissman welcomes AD into his Austin home in the latest episode of Open Door, he jokes that he doesn’t actually live in a kitchen.

Five suites aboard the structure can accommodate up to 10 people, in addition to space for seven crew members. There’s also a beach club (a lounge area close to the water) with a swimming platform, a top-deck jacuzzi, and narrow-plank teak decking throughout the three levels. A 215-square-foot garage houses a jetski, tender, and seabob.

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The Beckhams maintain a penthouse unit in Zaha Hadid’s Miami tower One Thousand Museum, a countryside retreat in the Cotswolds , and their primary home, a four-story Victorian townhouse in Holland Park, London, which the couple bought in 2013 for an approximately $38 million and spent another $10 million renovating.

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