Britain's Monarchy And It's Love Of The Sea

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."

British Monarchy's Long-Lasting Love Affair With The Sea -- CNN

(CNN) -- For ardent royalists and keen followers of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations, there could have been few more fitting tributes to the British monarch's abiding reign than Sunday's 1000-strong flotilla.

The vast fleet of multi-colored, eccentrically-clad yachts - which included everything from ancient tall ships to Viking-style longboats -- was led by a gold-gilded barge carrying the queen herself, reflecting an intimate and centuries-old communion between the royal family and the high-seas.

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My Comment: The British monarchy .... like everyone else .... loves to have a boat on the sea. But having a yacht is a luxury that many of us cannot afford .... the Royal family included.

Three Generations Of Royals Join The Queen As She Sets Sail Down The Thames On Glorious Jubilee River Pageant

Ruling The Waves: Three Generations Of Royals Join The Queen As She Sets Sail Down The Thames On Glorious Jubilee River Pageant -- Daily Mail

* Thousands gather along the Thames to get the best view of the Queen to mark her 60 years of reign
* She arrives wearing a stunning silver and white dress with matching coat which was designed by Angela Kelly
* The 1,000-strong flotilla is the most spectacular nautical event in London for the past 350 years
* London Philharmonic Orchestra play 'Singing in the Rain' as they travel down the river
* Bad weather causes cancellation of flypast finale to Thames River Pageant
* Diamond Jubilee pageant sets new world record for the number of boats taking part in a parade

The Queen's Diamond Jubilee river pageant reached its end as a world record-beating 1,000-strong flotilla passed under Tower Bridge.

The belfry carrying The Royal Jubilee Bells was the first vessel through, followed by the million-pound row barge Gloriana led by Olympic gold medallists Sir Matthew Pinsent and Sir Steve Redgrave, rowing with 16 others.

A 41-gun salute was fired from the Tower of London to celebrate the Queen's 60 years on the throne while thousands of people cheered on the banks of the River Thames despite the wet weather.

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My Comment: The Royalty still has style in Britain.

Gloriana, The First Royal Barge To Be Built In 100 Years

God bless her and all who sail in her! The Queen visits the Gloriana, the first royal barge to be built in 100 years, at Greenland Pier in East London

Resplendent In Red! Queen Brightens The Gloom As She Names Gloriana, The First Royal Barge To Be Built In 100 Years -- Daily Mail

* Monarch also formally reopened Cutty Sark five years after it was devastated by fire

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh today braved heavy rain and driving winds to name a spectacular barge built to mark the Jubilee.

The royal couple travelled to the East London dock where Gloriana is currently moored, awaiting the moment when it will make its way to Wandsworth Bridge on the Thames from where it will lead the Jubilee pageant on 3 June.

Dressed in a bright red coat and hat that cut a swathe through the morning's gloom, the monarch descended a gangway at Greenland Pier on the Thames in London's Docklands before boarding the Gloriana.

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My Comment: Classy as always.

First Royal Barge To Be Made In Britain For 100 Years Makes Its Majestic Maiden Voyage Down The River Thames

The Royal barge Gloriana takes to the water in the River Thames in preparation for the Queens 60th Jubilee celebrations

Gloriana In Excelsis: First Royal Barge To Be Made In Britain For 100 Years Makes Its Majestic Maiden Voyage Down The River Thames -- Daily Mail

The boat that will lead the Queen's Jubilee pageant had its first dip into the water today in a test run before the big event.

The Royal barge Gloriana was escorted through the streets of the capital this morning on the back of a truck before it was launched in the River Thames in preparation for the Queen's 60th Jubilee celebrations.

The boat was then put through its paces on the river before a pageant of more than 1,000 boats will sail on June 3 to mark the 60th anniversary of Her Majesty's reign.

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My Comment: Nice .... and suitable for Royalty.

The Royal Yacht Britannia

The Royal Yacht Britannia, seen here in 1960, was launched by Queen Elizabeth II on 16 April 1953.

How To Design A Yacht Fit For A Queen -- CNN

(CNN) -- The British royal family has a long history with the sea. Queen Elizabeth II's much beloved Royal Yacht Britannia carried members of the monarchy on almost 1000 official voyages over 44 years, from her launch in 1953 to her decommissioning in 1997.

Her Majesty was seen wiping a tear away at the farewell ceremony for Britannia, which was launched in 1953 with a dual purpose - to provide royal travel around the Commonwealth and to act as a hospital ship in time of war.

Now UK media reports that Conservative member of parliament Michael Gove has suggested the Queen should be given a new yacht to mark this year's diamond jubilee.

What would go into designing a yacht fit for the Queen of England? We ask some yacht designers what they would do if they received the commission of a lifetime.

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My Comment: In an age of austerity .... a new yacht for the Queen is not going to happen.