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Les Visiting the ship for a tour in April organised by an ex mariner Steve Barlow Les & Alexa

Jim Thanks Ian, I hope you make it back on board one day, in the meantime I am glad I was able to take you back didgitally.

Ian Mathews Jim This is an excellent tour and thanks. Like George and Topsy I was a Yottie from 89 to 97 but have yet to go back on board, Leith is a long way from Portsmouth. It has brought back good memories. Ian, ex Chief Petty Officer Caterer, Father Famine to the lads!

Jim Thank you George for that, I have amended the captions as your information above. It's nice that ex crew members have enjoyed watching the show and corrected some information for me.

George Watson (HMYBosun '89-'91) Well done Jim, it is great to see her looking so good.The corridor you have described as"next to the Bridge" is the Senior Officeres Flat, known as "The Whispering gallery", and the Captain's cabin is actually the Commander's, who was second in command, the Yacht actually being commanded by an Admiral or a Commodore..

Topsy Very impressive Jim, served for 25 years onboard Britannia which were very happy and memorable days. John Turner

Jim Hi Mike, Thank you for that - I have amended the caption .

mike upton x.ab(sonar) I was an able seaman on her 86 - 88 great memories,,p.s that which you call the captains uniform is actually that of an admirals

Brian Daley Marvellous piece of film and worthy of it's subject

Bill Seddon. Thanks Jim.I am ex A.B.When we had a large number of U.K.Liners,but this was a real treat.Most Enjoyable.Bill Seddon.L.Pool.ex vindy boy.1960.

sylvia pearson enjoyed the trip.every bit of it.

Chris Fowlow Enjoyed every minute of the tour it was fantastic, thankyou ver much.

John Mears. I was surprised to discover that H M yaght would find a rretirement home in Scotland in spite of Scotland now having a Parliement of their own that some might see as a move away from Crown rule.

Bob Thomas Well done jim most enjoyable.

EIIR well done Jim, Just as we remember it.

Don Crellin A fabulous insight into the luxurious living conditions for the Royals and their Guests, not so for the cramped crew quarters. A really good tour

ETH X Those mint Balls get everywhere Good show thanks again ETH

Jim The flag deck with its flag locker.

Jim A carving from Easter Island.

Jim "C'mon this way".

Jim Mess silver.

Jim A writing desk.

Jim The Royal Yacht Britannia is berthed at Leith, Edinburgh, Scotland.

Jim This is part of the wheelhouse recreated in the exhibition centre.

Jim Here are also other exhibits - like these Royal Marine bandsmen uniforms.

Jim I'm informed by an able seaman who served on her that this is the dress uniform of an admiral - sometimes, dependant on the occasion, he would have to change 12 times in a day.

Jim At this point you are still on your way...

Jim ..to actually boarding the ship via this tower..

Jim ..Leith Harbour.

Jim Now you are actually going on board.

Jim Looking down on to the bridge.

Jim Inside the bridge - only the commanding officer sat down.

Jim ..another view.

Jim Outside the bridge

Jim The forward deck with its anchor capstans.

Jim This part had a modesty board to stop the ladies dresses blowing up in the wind.

Jim Lifeboats

Jim Next to the bridge, the Senior Officer's "Flat" - known to the crew as "The Whispering Gallery" (see comments at the end)

Jim This cabin is actually the Commander's, who was second in command, the Yacht actually being commanded by an Admiral or a Commodore..

Jim ..the bunk area.

Jim Outside on the deck...

Jim ...was stored the Royal Rolls Royce...

Jim ..to be used at ports of call.

Jim The veranda deck area, strictly for the royals recreation...

Jim ..this has a lounge opening on to it was an area much enjoyed by the Queen and Prince Phillip.

Jim This is its cocktail bar.

Jim The lounge seen from the outside with the royal coat of arms and ship's bell.

Jim The queen's bedroom - the walls have been replaced with glass for viewing..

Jim ..hence the reflections on some photos.

Jim Outside a portrait of Horatio Nelson, hero of Trafalgar.

Jim Prince Phillip's bedroom.

Jim ..with a much more masculine decor.

Jim The only double bed on the yacht, brought on board by Prince Charles for his honeymoon with Diana.

Jim Outside on the deck.

Jim The officers dining room.

Jim and its snug bar - the wombat toy on the fan was used in after dinner games - flying off the fan.

Jim Napkins

Jim The State Banqueting Room.

Jim The walls adorned with gifts from many countries - the sword was presented by Sweden.

Jim The Queen's study.

Jim The ante room and drawing room area.

Jim The ante room comfortable and cosy.

Jim The drawing room

Jim .. here the royal family and their guests could relax.

Jim .. sometimes listeng to music on the piano - which is bolted down - and was played by Noel Coward and somtimes by Pricess Diana.

Jim ..or simply playing cards.

Jim Outside a Range Rover went along too.

Jim The gangways.

Jim Remember the photos of Diana greeting "her boys" princes William and Harry on returning from a tour. This is where it took place...

Jim ..the two young princes rushed up the gangway to hug her.

Jim back below decks, the marines barracks.

Jim Sorry for the blurring but I kept it in because this was the crew sweet shop, where Harry and William were allowed to come to buy sweets. Visitors can now do the same.

Jim ..nearby is the Post Office

Jim ..a peek through its hatch.

Jim Again the crew area.

Jim The laundry.

Jim The enginroom, so immaculate..

Jim ... an American congressman in disbelief asked "Now Iv'e seen the museum exhibit, now show me the real engines".

Jim The engines you see here took Britannia more than a million miles on more than 968 Royal and State visits between 1953 and 1997. You view them from behind a glass screen.

Jim The royal launch

Jim ..now you are back ashore in the gift shop..Here they even sell my hometown of Wigan's Uncle Joe's Mint Balls - hope you enjoyed the tour. Jim

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