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The Royal Yacht Britannia has been rated the UK's No. 1 Attraction by TripAdvisor for 2014-2015. It was Queen Elizabeth II's floating home, sailing
over 1 million miles, and is toured by some 300,000 it each year. Photo © Marc Millar, Royal Yacht Britannia.
Launched on April 16, 1953, it has hosted everything from were aboard for 16 days on their 1981 honeymoon - noted for
formal state dinners to royal honeymoons--although not al- the princess participating in a sing-a-long in the crew's mess.
ways a token of luck, since the four royal couples who honey- And the Duke and Duchess of York were the final honeymoon
mooned onboard ended up on rough seas, so to speak, even- couple, sailing for five days in 1986. The honeymoon suite,
tually divorcing. the only room onboard with a double bed, was also used as
the nursery.
The first couple, Princess Margaret and Antony Arm-
strong-Jones (later known as Lord Snowdon), honeymooned The royal cabins have extra high portholes to allow for privacy
on the ship in 1960. Princess Anne (who celebrated her 21st in case a crew member passes by. The ship also houses a post
birthday onboard) and her first husband, Capt. Mark Phillips, office, three galleys, sick bay and operating theatre.
spent an unforgettable 1973 honeymoon enduring seasick-
ness their first four days. Prince Charles and Princess Diana Prior to boarding, visitors can browse a vast display of royal

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