End Of An Era: Britannia, The Last Royal Ship - Royal Yacht Britannia

The Royal Yacht Britannia was the last of the line of Royal ships, the end of an era. HMY Britannia is now permanently docked in the port at Leith, just outside Edinburgh and you can visit the historic vessel and learn about the royal floating palace.
The magnificent Royal Yacht Britannia, served as the home away from home for the British Royal Family for over 44 years, travelling over 1.1 million miles on state visits, royal tours, and diplomatic missions. We explore the decks, visit the state apartments and find out what life was like onboard for a yachtsman and the Band of the Royal Marines.
Visiting the Royal Yacht Britannia should certainly be on your bucket list when you are next in Edinburgh and we hope this video will explain why.
To book tickets and see opening times visit this website:-
www.royalyachtbritannia.co.uk/
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00:00 Introduction
00:32 Getting to HMY Britannia
01:06 Visitor Centre
01:38 Building Britannia
02:43 Bridge
03:59 Royal Bridge
04:17 Flag Deck
04:47 Admirals Quarters
06:26 Car Garage
07:06 Veranda Deck
08:25 Sun Lounge
09:20 Queen's Suite
10:00 Prince Philip Suite
10:16 Royal Family Suites
11:02 Officer's Recreation Rooms
12:35 Galley
13:18 State Dining Room
14:41 Queen's Sitting Room
15:17 Prince Philip Sitting Room
15:41 Drawing Room
16:43 Petty Office's Quarters
17:30 Royal Marines "Barracks"
18:29 Mail Room
18:45 Sick Bay - Operating Theatre
19:08 Laundry Room
19:38 Junior Rates Bathroom
19:54 Engine Room
20:20 Royal Barge
21:23 Royal Steps
#britannia #royalyachtbritannia #queenelizabethii

[@TXMEDRGR]

As a retired U.S. Navy officer, I'm amazed by this ship. Needless to say, nothing I served on was like HMY Britannia. That is an amazing yacht and you did a magnificent job of showing it to us. Thanks.

[@lorrainerichardson3280]

Lol I'm old. Lyttelton is the port of Canterbury in New Zealand and I remember in 1963 as a 5 year old going down to the wharf with many others to see the Royal yacht Brittannia. Lyttelton is my childhood hometown and I also remember lining up with the rest of my school on the street as Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip drove past heading to Christchurch for whatever their day entailed. The yacht was back in 1974 when Christchurch held the Commonwealth games. Three years later it was decommissioned. Thanks for the tour =-)

[@godfreyberry1599]

The down to earth simplicity of the furnishings and homely atmosphere is perfectly reflects the personality of Queen Elizabeth 2.

[@heatherstephens9295]

How wonderful, I’m so glad she has been kept as an historical treasure. Great tour. My grandmother lived in Leith ❤🇳🇿

[@godfreyberry1599]

The preservation of this icon representing a magnificent era which will never be seen again is a fantastic initiative. Wonderfully presented.

[@briansymes2936]

We can’t wait to see this in the flesh June 2024!

[@FrancoisD551]

Wonderful video, very well presented. HMY Britannia was the greatest ambassador that the United Kingdom ever had. Promoting the country and the Commonwealth. Thank you for such videography.

[@LMays-cu2hp]

Thank you for sharing a great yacht for the Royal Family.

[@amysamin]

Absolutely beautiful, and a marvelous tour. Thank you!

[@cherylolsen4420]

Thank you ! I so enjoyed touring this yacht with you 😘

[@patriciajones2265]

Thank you so much, Love it !!! My husband and I have been watching your videos on the big screen tv and they are worthy for a television documentary series . Hopefully BBC or someone else will pay big for your videos , they are absolutely informative and historically accurate a great documentary . Thank so much I feel I have visited this places because of you .🤗🤗😘😘

[@kennethstuckey7823]

Excellent video and videography of this historic royal vessel! Y'all always show everything in great detail which is truly refreshing, greatly appreciated, so very needed, and highly enjoyable. Queen Elizabeth II was the epitome of class, decorum and graciousness. She was the last dignified, highly respected, loved and admired queen. May she rest in peace! Thank you Will & Simon once again for keeping everyone aware of the importance of history!

[@alisab3041]

Wonderful video! Informative narration, great photography - thanks for taking us along on your tour. I hope this video will get more views than usual and bring new subscribers to your channel. Your videos are so well produced that I look forward to every new one. I really appreciate the pace and tone of your videos. You should really have your own travel program on TV!

[@susanharris5926]

Unexpected trip from you! Thoroughly enjoyable. I like the way you do your homework to include in the narration, it makes it all the more interesting.

[@patbowman6723]

This is so amazing! I've never even come close to The Royal Britannia nd this just made my day. It's hugh and the Queen had so many room to call her own. This is fascinating and the closest thing to being there. Thank so much for the very detailed views and information. I watched this 2x it was that good.

[@Annie4Always]

What a wonderful, extremely interesting & informative tour of this magnificent 'Yacht," HMY Britannia! The 'Yacht' is very beautiful, both inside & out! I found it also so interesting & refreshing to see that the furnishings were very simple & not ostentatious at all! This shows a lot about the Queen & HM's down to earth nature! It was also very sweet & poignant to see all the family Photos placed around the 'Yacht'. As well as, all the little stuffed Corgis scattered around in various places throughout, even under the covers of some of the beds! How cute! Finally,, your filming, Presentation & Commentary were just excellent...as always! Thank you for sharing another delightful experience!

[@lindamccaughey6669]

That was fabulous. I remember the Britannia came into port in Australia. It was so beautiful. The queen was good to see too. Such opulence was incredible, .Thanks for taking me along. Please take care

[@peterpluim7912]

Opulence in the manning and the cost of running the ship, but hardly in the interior. It all look very functional, almost ordinary and bland.

[@pjaybasmaignee]

I love the Memory Seekers and their travel vlogs, they really have top notch videos that are reminiscent of David Attenborough if I do say so myself. And I do! 😅⁉️🌈❄️

[@evelyngrammar]

I stayed in Leith when visiting Scotland in 2019 and enjoyed tea on the Royal Yacht! Great memories.

[@bluumz-n-veg]

Thanks so much for this, I regret not visiting the Britannia when I was last in Edinburgh in 2015!

[@alexandresanturian1513]

Greetings from Salvador, Bahia, Brazil! I always wanted to see HMY Britannia inside and you did an excellent job of showing it to us, with much elegance and respect for the late Her Majesty The Queen. My wife and I admire your videos and we would like to thank you for sharing your experiences. All the best!

[@MemorySeekers]

Thank you very much! Great to have you watching from Brazil 👍😊

[@cathycartier484]

Thank you for this wonderful documentary which actually shows the yacht . I've watched 2 others and never saw much of the Britannia herself . One video shows film of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip at the decommioning ceremony and it was heartbreaking to see how upset they both were at the time . Britannia afforded them real privacy away from prying eyes and I think it provided them with a bit of adventure . In my opinion I think it a shame that the British government deprived them of this pleasure . Queen Elizabeth gave the majority of her life to her duty and her country . She deserved the real privacy and relaxation the yacht provided .

[@kathleenmckinney2477]

Thank you for this video. My husband and I plan on visiting Great Britain next year. Your videos have been very helpful.

[@susantaylor927]

Thank you you guys!😊 That was absolutely fab! You captured the essence of that ship and all who sailed on her beautifully! My husband was an engineer and he was awestruck by that engine room!😊

[@stephanfourie6879]

Its THE best video ive ever seen of B. Thank you very much for posting this.

[@sheilawhite8314]

my Dad was on the Royal Britannia many years ago early 50's. He was also on the HMS Vanguard when the Princesses were young when there parents were King and Queen, it was their holiday ship so my Dad told me . He was also on the HMS Victoria and Albert ship as well he was on many ships during his time in the Royal Navy and he loved it. He has been gone since 2013. It made me so sad when it got decommissioned hadn't realised they saved it as a tourist attraction in Edinburgh

[@MemorySeekers]

Do you think you might be able to visit and explore the ship he was crew on? That would surely be an amazing thing to do.

[@SeaTravelr123]

I cant wait to get back to Edinburgh and see this in person. When I was last there, she wasn't open yet. She is a lovely time capsule and much of her interior is reminiscent of the John Brown ships that came after her: Saxonia, Ivernia, Arcadia....

[@lesleywallace5748]

I have explored this vessel ,and it blew my mind how well equip it is ,🇳🇿🇳🇿🇳🇿🇳🇿she has sailed in New Zealand waters also

[@FraserAtSea]

Ah, I visited here last year and was really impressed - a real gem in our heritage crown!

[@johnharney6548]

This is more good stuff. Thanks

[@tilakbhandari3466]

historic story

[@davidhewson8605]

Didn't realise it was so big !. What an elegant ship. Days of yore. Thanks all. Dave

[@gazwizz]

Interestingly, photography was strictly prohibited on board when I visited in 2001, I recall the signs saying so "out of respect for the royal family". I remember taking a sneaky photo of the dining room and got shouted at by a worker! Glad that rule has long disappeared so that all can enjoy the sights inside thanks to videos like this.

[@hmybritannia]

The last Royal Family member to visit the yacht was King Charles lll on July 3,2023 to commemerate the 25 years since her arrival in Edinburgh ahead of his Scottish Coronation

[@tanja6614]

Danke!❤

[@marshabrubaker185]

Loved the history and tour of the Britannia. Always loved ships and being on the water. However, I have a fear of heights and never been able to get my sea legs beneath me. Thanks for the "land" tour.

[@AbidAlhaleemhafiz]

Thank you for fantastic video ❤❤❤🥰🌺👍

[@hpot53]

Always a great joy to see any video you post!

[@mattrost2574]

Content aside, I just subscribed because of the in-depth, even-voiced, well-edited presentation. Very well done!

[@ahlamdashti7321]

Hello, I visited this amazing ship in August. I really enjoyed the tour with a lot of the Royal memories. Thanks for your useful video.👍

[@lliamjurdom9505]

That was a nice tour ...

[@cassandraralph5906]

Excellent and very interesting video. It's given me a chance to have a good look at something that would have been very much in the realm of unfulfilled dreams. Thanks for your excellent work yet again. I loved the different tastes that Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip had. 😂

[@Robby334]

Our Late Queen Elizabeth II adored the ship. Bless you, your Majesty.

[@doyeworrell1680]

Loved 🥰 this video, I wish I could visit in person.

[@optimisticgal]

Very interesting! thank you

[@artistinlederhosen]

in march i was with a tour group visiting ireland and scotland. i ditched the group for an afternoon on my own because i had always wanted to see it and it was not on the group itinerary. it was fascinating and, since i had lunch aboard, i can say i had dined on the queen’s yacht! ha! well done video.

[@user-kr4hp5rj7b]

Дуже цікаво, дякую велике, друзі!!!!!

[@MemorySeekers]

Дякую за перегляд.

[@neusamenezes5146]

It is fascinating! So, we😢 could visit the royal vessel!!! Thank you very much for the vidro and the explanations!!!!🙋🏻‍♀️🤝🇮🇪

[@pheart2381]

A ship. where pleasure and business mixed.

[@shaunmckenna1923]

Thank you we really enjoyed the tour .

[@davidthomas2761]

HMY Britannia was in Toronto harbour several times. I made a point of getting as close to it as I could each time and was delighted to be able to take the tour in Leith in 2008. Since then there have been some changes, most notably the tea room. It is time for another visit.

[@truckerfromreno]

Fantastic. I saw this amazing and beautiful ship at Liverpool many years ago.

[@abrahamlincolin10]

❤🎩🥰💐👍 thanks for

[@sandiandgregh]

Fantastic video. We totally agree. We toured Britannia last year and had a wonderful time. So very interesting AND we had a lovely tea on board as well. Beautiful floating museum.

[@lorettafrancesconi2337]

Really beautiful ❤ Thank you for another video 😊

[@larrydwyer4168]

Pampered to her end.

[@SpanishEclectic]

This was interesting! I recognize some of the Royal apartment rooms from The Crown. I wonder if they were filmed there, or if the rooms were recreated on a set. With the very long, and great history of Britain's Navy, it's no surprise the Queen would have such an impressive vessel. I loved the 'eye-roll' photo of Princess Diana, and of course, the darling stuffed corgis.

[@MemorySeekers]

I am not sure if it was filmed on board, the rooms are pretty small so I guess that would be hard to film in with all the camera gear. Probably was recreated. 👍

[@SpanishEclectic]

@@MemorySeekers I looked it up, and yes, the rooms were re-created on a set. Pretty spot on, though, as I recognized them from the series. :)

[@mrdunns3338]

Anyone visiting can find the Admiralty Chart of the 1977 Silver Jubilee Spithead Review ship disposition. My Dad's name is there as Master and Commodore of the Fleet on the BP tanker British Respect, Alan Davies. At the review, he was invited to a cocktail reception and dinner, was presented to Her Majesty and The Duke of Edinburgh. Along with many souvenirs, we have a copy of the same chart.

[@mariaceciliazaninivergueir3077]

The Best

[@grahamthebaronhesketh.]

Cannot go to sea without an admiral and the band.

[@bullet-catcherhohoho250]

Well done, nicely shot.

[@suecrowhurst4393]

Went on the yacht few years ago lovely

[@maladasgupta2247]

Very interseting and informative video ...❤️

[@dennis12dec]

We've got a guided tour of the Royal Yacht Britannia when it was docked at the Port of Manila, Philippines 🇵🇭 for refueling and resupply in 1997 on its way to Hong Kong for the handover ceremony.

[@richardpurvis8999]

You and Will never disappoint. One more very professional Video. Thanks so much.

[@jillwanlin9558]

Hi Simon and Will. Thankyou for this wonderful tour and peek into how the other half lives. I’ve seen it mentioned in other documentaries that Queen Elizabeth II loved her time spent on Britannia. I’m sure it afforded the family that extra bit of much needed privacy away from the public eye. Incredible the amount of staff needed for these excursions. Hope you’re both doing well. Take care til next time! 🇨🇦🇬🇧❤️

[@mentonish]

Thanks for a great review, we made the visit many years ago, th RR was at that time in the garage. Well worth a return visit.

[@ananda852003]

Me and family went to visit RYB last year, it was an amazing experience.

[@PrincessHarlotte]

Great video! You can have dinner and stay on HMY Fingal, the sister ship. We had a great time and would love to see a behind the scenes. 🎉

[@bernardkealey6449]

There are at least 2 Scandinavian Royal Yachts which have Naval / state designations, a plethora of less official European Royal yachts, and numerous Gulf states have officially designated squadrons of yachts available to head of state.

[@MemorySeekers]

Very interesting thank you!

[@harrysamuppet6804]

I was lucky enough to be one of the thousands gathered on the Antrim Coast to see Britannia as she sailed her last voyage around the British Isles. As she came through the haze on a beautiful sunny evening I can honestly say that I’ve never witnessed anything as moving in all my life. She literally gleamed like a jewel. Many years later I toured her in Leith. Whilst I was beside myself to have the honour of being on board it was a very bittersweet moment. She was a great loss to our country & in my opinion should be replaced. Sadly she represents a bygone era & maybe as irreplaceable as Her Majesty herself.

[@pacificrules]

Queen Elizabeth had a BLAST in life, ever since she was 5yrs old to her death. ✨✨🎊🎊🥰🥰

[@brandieo6165]

Very informative & interesting video. Always appreciate you taking us along. Your channel is my favorite!!!!😊

[@MemorySeekers]

😊🫣

[@OhioticketswithRobert]

I was there in 2021 but didn't see the whole ship since my mom was getting tired and we head to the gift shop and found out that there was a lift we could used to see the whole ship.

[@jackiemonk3542]

A really interesting video & it made me wonder what does the Royal family yacht looks like today.

[@MemorySeekers]

They don’t have one now, that was the last.

[@MemorySeekers]

If you enjoyed our trip around Britannia then you may well like our visit to the QE2 the world's most famous ocean liner! Join us in Dubai for a tour of a ship and an overnight stay! kzbin.info/www/bejne/kJC6dYGsbqufm9E Join our Patreon page and get behinds the scenes posts, extended versions of videos and exclusive content. Not only does it help us run the channel and cover our expenses but you get access to more than on youtube. www.patreon.com/memoryseekers Check out our socials for more photos of the trip:- instagram.com/memoryseekers facebook.com/memoryseekersuk Our website also has more information and places to visit. www.memoryseekers.net

[@allyanderson6755]

2024. Very sad to see our late Queen clearly heartbroken on decommissioning day😢. I understand the cost of Britannia, but what a majestic representation of the UK . We now live in a world where nobody goes to the wharf to watch once in a lifetime memories being made. Or such pride and discipline in a job on such a vessel. It would be quite a contrast to flights here and there. I imagine the staff on Britannia would have been lifelong friends after needing to work in such small places for so long. The design of Britannia is how every workplace and home should be designed, practical and thoughtful to be a well oiled machine. All of this has been lost in modern times 😢. I can imagine the fresh air and lack of rubbish tabloids would be quite the remedy that our beautiful Princess Catherine and Prince William could benefit from with their children in these trying times. How sad future generations did not get to experience what the Princess Royal, King Charles the lovely new Duke of Edinburgh and andrew got to enjoy as children and young adults. I truly hope our Royal family can gain new strength to get through the battle of dreadful cancer and create something memorable for the new generation after the amazing service of the late Queen and Prince Philip 😢❤. All those who served and worked on Britannia should be very proud of their hard work. Absolutely wonderful video. Thank you.

[@ziggyben13]

I wonder what parts you can actually walk on. I’m guessing pretty much everything is just all roped of only to view at a short distance, but not being able to touch anything. Only a guess. But I guess it would still be lots of fun and interest to see and tour.

[@cinemaipswich4636]

One would have thought that the Landed Gentry, and the Captains of Industry could have preserved and flaunted this bastion of "International Trade and Virtue". It could have been saved by them. They want to "Socialise" those costs to the taxpayer. It is a "Trading Vessel" and exports are it's business.

[@user-hv1le8yv3h]

LIVING PLAZA CIREBON

[@romeo9017]

All it needed was an engine upgrade - thank you Bliar…..

[@tonysegadelli9421]

I remember Britannia sailing out of Hong Kong hours after the handover to the Chinese

[@kevinmccarthy8746]

FIRST THING, England ,my England, my Avalon. Your prodigal sons the USA, love and esteem you, your King, and the British people. I was on a luxury yacht in 1976 on my way to Bermuda when , I saw the BRITANIA. I was 19 years old . I am 66 now. 19, and from Massachusetts, Fresh out of High school, I got a job on a yacht owned by ADNANN KHASHOGGI, a Saudi Arabian, arms dealer. The yacht was 165 feet long and about 30 feet in breath. It cost one million just to operate the ship for a year. Her name, the MOHAMMEDIA . Kevin from sunny Mexico.

[@suunto61]

Wouldn't it have been cool if 5 yrs before her passing she said "One last cruise"

[@lucianasalles7272]

👒

[@1Kent]

Verge Inn! 😂

[@timdaugherty5921]

Is the ship gutted now or can it actually run again if needed ??

[@pixie706]

Did the royal staff live with the crew. ?

[@John-bv2ft]

Engine room please

[@bscottb8]

Back when the monarchy meant something, not least because it had a worthy monarch (and consort).

[@hmybritannia]

I wish she was never decommision becuase i bet the late Queen would of wanted the Royal Yacht to take her Coffin on the River Thames for one last jouney on her beloved yacht where she could truly relax and get away from the press I wish they would of took her to Scotland amd pick up her majesty and tranport her on the River Tweed,which connects Scotland to Northern England

[@romeo9017]

No sign of Duncan McGreedy? Oh dear….

[@Jeffybonbon]

should have never left service IMO

[@nosystem1098]

Why was it decommissioned? Was it replaced by another vessel?

[@craigberesford726]

No Tony Blair got rid to expensive on the public purse a replacement was talked about but never happened

[@nosystem1098]

@@craigberesford726 Thank you.

[@samanthab1923]

What do they do with her now?

[@udirt]

The section with the laundry and the idea that they needed sometimes to change multiple times per day is what made the start of the new Dune movie so idiotic. Where the almost adult galactic dynasty heir asks mommy what to wear when the emperor of the galaxy comes pay visit. That would be something he'd been able to tell as a little child.

[@thomascoffin3273]

Tony Blair was extremely short-sighted when he had the yacht decommissioned. It more than paid for itself in the amount of trade it brought from other countries.

[@kaminski911]

It seems extremely strange to me that the citizens of a country use tax money to finance the private, luxurious lifestyle of a family. Just as strange as the entire monarchy. It's a good thing we've had that a little longer.

[@janetbayliss]

Why dont they just sell it

[@user-qb7md2hl5k]

why is this being done ????????????????????????? Is a newer and better one being built ???

[@craigberesford726]

No