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The Sun Lounge was the queen's favorite place onboard, where she would have breakfast and afternoon tea, enjoying the ocean views through large
windows. Photo © Marc Millar, Royal Yacht Britannia. Below: The State Drawing Room was where the royal family relaxed, playing games, reading, or
singing. Alas, the queen wasn’t able to have her wish granted for an open coal fireplace, so it’s electric instead. Photo credit Sharon Whitley Larsen
photos, mementos, letters, and ship items. Lifts between the sleeping quarters, which were decorated to utilize the bed
decks make the tour easily accessible. I particularly noticed linen bought for Queen Victoria on the previous royal yacht.
several men gawking at the Rolls-Royce Phantom V, presented There's a single bed with a floral bedspread, a custom embroi-
to the queen in 1960, housed in the ship's small garage. dered silk panel on the wall above, a small desk, vanity and
Some furniture was recycled a full-length, three-way mir-
from the previous royal yacht, ror. A connecting door leads
Victoria and Albert III, and to Philip's quarters, and each
the queen and Prince Philip--a has its own bath. The queen
former Naval officer--delight- and Philip could press a but-
ed in decorating the Britannia ton next to their beds to sum-
to their tastes, personally se- mon a royal steward.
lecting the fabrics, paintings
and furnishings. The queen selected the deep
blue color for the ship, in-
The Britannia--light, airy and stead of the usual black. Its
stylish--is unpretentious and crest is on the stern, and its
comfortable, with brass met- name does not appear on the
alwork, mahogany wood and side of the ship.
white walls adorned with
artwork, family photos and For a state visit, the queen
personal mementos. When would take five tons of lug-
the yacht was first completed, gage aboard, including royal
no press were invited aboard and publications offered a huge jewelry and Malvern water for her tea. Up to 45 members of
amount for a photo of the queen's bedroom. Alas, none was the royal household would accompany her, including her sur-
successful. geon, detectives, hairdresser, valets, footmen, ladies-in-wait-
ing, press and private secretaries and chefs.
However, today visitors can get a close-up look at her former

42 Wine Dine & Travel 2016