The British royal family has a very close and historic association with the sea. "Her Majesty's Yacht (HMY) Britannia," (pictured) built in 1953 for Queen Elizabeth II, was designed to her exact specifications. She once described the lavish yacht, now decommissioned, as "the one place where I can truly relax."
'Royal Yacht Britannia' —
The British royal family has a very close and historic association with the sea. "Her Majesty's Yacht (HMY) Britannia," (pictured) built in 1953 for Queen Elizabeth II, was designed to her exact specifications. She once described the lavish yacht, now decommissioned, as "the one place where I can truly relax."
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King George V, Elizabeth's grandfather, was himself a keen sailing enthusiast. This awe-inspiring cutter, built in 1893, was used by the king and his family for prestigious sailing events.
King's Cutter —
King George V, Elizabeth's grandfather, was himself a keen sailing enthusiast. This awe-inspiring cutter, built in 1893, was used by the king and his family for prestigious sailing events.
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The British monarchy also has a prominent involvement in the Royal Navy. The queen's husband, Prince Philip, is its Lord High Admiral, while her son Charles holds the rank of Admiral -- having taken command of his own ship in 1976. Prince William (pictured) is Sub Lieutenant and Commodore-in-Chief for Scotland and Submarines and completed an attachment with the Royal Navy in 2008.
The Royal Navy —
The British monarchy also has a prominent involvement in the Royal Navy. The queen's husband, Prince Philip, is its Lord High Admiral, while her son Charles holds the rank of Admiral -- having taken command of his own ship in 1976. Prince William (pictured) is Sub Lieutenant and Commodore-in-Chief for Scotland and Submarines and completed an attachment with the Royal Navy in 2008.
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Such is the royal's enthusiasm for the sea that, in 2002, Prince Charles even arrived for a screening of the James Bond film "Die Another Day" decked out in full admiralty gear.
The Admiral —
Such is the royal's enthusiasm for the sea that, in 2002, Prince Charles even arrived for a screening of the James Bond film "Die Another Day" decked out in full admiralty gear.
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The queen's royal rowbarge, Gloriana, leads the way for the manpowered boats during the Diamond Jubilee Thames Pageant. The boat is powered by 18 oarsmen and was unique among the participating vessels because it was the only boat specially commissioned for the event.
Gloriana takes the lead —
The queen's royal rowbarge, Gloriana, leads the way for the manpowered boats during the Diamond Jubilee Thames Pageant. The boat is powered by 18 oarsmen and was unique among the participating vessels because it was the only boat specially commissioned for the event.
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The royal barge, "Spirit of Chartwell", carrying the Queen and senior members of the Royal family. The boat is privately owned and was donated to the event by its owner Philip Morrell and given the royal design treatment by award-winning production designer Joseph Bennett.
Spirit of Chartwell —
The royal barge, "Spirit of Chartwell", carrying the Queen and senior members of the Royal family. The boat is privately owned and was donated to the event by its owner Philip Morrell and given the royal design treatment by award-winning production designer Joseph Bennett.
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Members of the Royal family (from left to right) Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, Queen Elizabeth II, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and Prince Harry stand onboard the Spirit of Chartwell.
All aboard —
Members of the Royal family (from left to right) Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, Queen Elizabeth II, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and Prince Harry stand onboard the Spirit of Chartwell.
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Members of Queen Elizabeth II 's Royal Marine Band, Plymouth, play in the pouring rain during the pageant, they were joined by a number of choirs and orchestras playing music along the route.
Musical barges —
Members of Queen Elizabeth II 's Royal Marine Band, Plymouth, play in the pouring rain during the pageant, they were joined by a number of choirs and orchestras playing music along the route.
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A flotilla of 55 Trinity 500's boats crewed by sea cadets from across Britain, carring the 54 Commonwealth flags, travel down the river in the pouring rain.
Commonwealth represented —
A flotilla of 55 Trinity 500's boats crewed by sea cadets from across Britain, carring the 54 Commonwealth flags, travel down the river in the pouring rain.
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Traces of the old days when "Britannia ruled the waves" were also on display, with representatives of the British Commonwealth riding as part of the flotilla. Here, the River Thames is graced by the rare spectacle of a Maori war boat from New Zealand.
International guests —
Traces of the old days when "Britannia ruled the waves" were also on display, with representatives of the British Commonwealth riding as part of the flotilla. Here, the River Thames is graced by the rare spectacle of a Maori war boat from New Zealand.
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