A river launch used by the Queen on the Thames for 40 years is joining the Royal Yacht Britannia in Edinburgh after being given as a gift by the Port of London Authority.
The Royal Nore was handed to the Royal Yacht Britannia Trust at a ceremony on Tower Pier.
It has been used for the Queen’s official events visits to the Thames including the opening of the new London Bridge in 1973, the Thames Barrier in 1984, the Millennium Dome in 1991 and the Millennium Bridge in 2002.
The vessel was originally ‘The Nore’, but later ‘Royal’ was added after being at the centre of the Queen’s Silver Jubilee river pageant in June 1977 in recognition of its service, by Royal Command.
It was refitted extensively in 2009 with a lounge and reception area on one level and furnished with Irish Ulster Wool carpeting, Lloyd loom armchairs and rich Cherry wood panelling throughout.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here