About
History of the last royal yacht
Mission Statement
The mission of The Royal Yacht Britannia Trust Archives is to preserve, protect, and share the rich legacy of HMY Britannia and her distinguished predecessors in the history of the Royal Yachts of the United Kingdom. The Trust’s collections relate to the entire history of HMY Britannia and other associated seacrafts, including former Royal Yachts, Royal Sailing Yachts, and escort ships.
Through the conservation of our collections, the Archives safeguard an enduring record of royal maritime tradition — from the earliest sailing and steam yachts that served the Crown to Britannia’s role as the last Royal Yacht. Our archive team is dedicated to the long-term preservation of Britannia and her illustrious history, aligning with the Trust’s charitable mission: to advance public education concerning Royal Vessels, and to foster, improve, promote, and increase public knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of The Royal Yacht Britannia.
Through the ongoing digitisation of our archives, we aim to make Britannia’s story accessible to all. With nearly 5,500 items within our collection, our digitisation goals seek to reach wider audiences, increase engagement, and highlight HMY Britannia’s enduring importance within British memory. We hope that this outreach will inspire individual contributions from the wider community, whose support is vital to preserving Britannia’s living history.
The Archive
The Royal Yacht Britannia Trust Archives serve as the major repository for materials documenting the conception, construction, service, and legacy of HMY Britannia, as well as the broader heritage of Royal Yachts and associated vessels. The collections, held onboard the museum, provide a unique insight into the history of the Royal Family, naval operations, and the role of Royal Yachts in British society.
The holdings include official correspondence, engineering drawings, logbooks, royal itineraries, photographs, crew records — representing the most personable collection of material relating to the yachts extensive travels. The Archives also encompass research on earlier Royal Yachts and sailing vessels, along with records of escort ships that supported Britannia throughout her service. The Archives have worked closely with previous Royal Yachtsmen to ensure that a focus on the crews that served Britannia and the Royal Family is integrated into our collections.
In addition, the Archives document Britannia’s continuing story as a museum ship in Leith, Edinburgh, and her enduring relationship with both the Royal Family and the wider public. Managed according to professional archival standards, the collection supports research, exhibitions, and educational initiatives. The Royal Yacht Britannia Trust remains committed to ensuring that Britannia’s story — past, present, and future — continues to inform, educate, and inspire generations to come.
