2018 marks 20 years since Her Majesty The Queen's floating palace, The Royal Yacht Britannia, arrived in Edinburgh and opened to the public and 65 years since the Yacht was launched in Clydebank, Glasgow. Since then, more than 5 million people from across the world have stepped aboard and followed in the footsteps of Royalty to see where Prince Charles and Princess Diana honeymooned and the young princes, William and Harry spent their school holidays, sailing round the Western Isles of Scotland. More recently, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry enjoyed a reception on Britannia with Zara Philips and Mike Tindall (pictured above).

Featured in Netflix 'The Crown' Season 2, (pictured above) the Royal Yacht is a five-star visitor experience and one of the world's most exclusive evening events venues. Ranked in TripAdvisor's UK Top 10 for five years running, it has also been rated as Scotland's Best Visitor Attraction for the last 12 years (VisitScotland).

The complimentary audio tour, available in 30 languages, gives a rare glimpse into the private lives of the British Royal Family, with highlights including the grand State Apartments, the vintage Rolls Royce, the gleaming Engine Room and Her Majesty's favourite room onboard, the teak-panelled Sun Lounge. The Royal Deck Tea Room offers spectacular views over the sea, and a delicious selection of seasonal food and drink, all prepared in the Britannia's original Royal Galleys.

Launched 65 years ago in Scotland, in 1953, the Royal Yacht sailed over a million miles across the world, on a thousand official visits for the British Royal Family. Britannia was a majestic symbol and ambassador for the Commonwealth and in her 44 years played host to over a thousand glittering state banquets and official receptions. Kings and queens, world leaders and celebrities were all wined and dined on board, from Frank Sinatra and Liz Taylor to presidents Mandela and Clinton.

A new £3.5 million investment by Britannia's trading company, Royal Yacht Enterprises, is set to transform Scotland's hotel sector, with the opening in late summer 2018 of Fingal, a former Northern Lighthouse Board ship, which begins an exciting new chapter as 23-bedroom luxury accommodation and spectacular events venue, berthed close to Britannia. The floating hotel will provide the ultimate in luxury, offering a wide range of bedroom suites, cabins with private balconies, duplex apartments, and a stunning Presidential Suite.

ENDS

www.royalyachtbritannia.co.uk

Ocean Terminal, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6JJ

0131 555 5566

Notes for Editors:

• Britannia is owned by The Royal Yacht Britannia Trust (Registered Charity No. SC028070). The Trust's responsibility is to maintain and preserve Britannia in keeping with her former role and to display her to the public as a key part of British maritime history. The Trust is a wholly self-funding, not-for-profit, charitable organisation. Income generated from running the Royal Yacht as a visitor attraction and events venue goes towards preserving the yacht for future generations. Britannia is the official headquarters of the Association of Royal Yachtsmen.

Contact Lynda Dalgleish, Head of Marketing, The Royal Yacht Britannia, Ocean Drive, Leith, EH6 6JJ, 0131 555 5566. 07747 477218