PLA hands Queen’s Thames launch as gift to Royal Yacht Britannia Trust
PLA's Royal Nore launch used for Queen's official visits on the Thames. Picture: PLA - Credit: PLA
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.
PLA hand over Queen's personal launch to Royal Yacht Britannia Trust chairman Rear Admiral Neil Rankin (left) in Tower Pier ceremony. Picture: PLA - Credit: PLA
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.
Royal Nore... pride of Port of London Authority on the Thames. Picture: PLA - Credit: PLA
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.
