Duke of Edinburgh’s sailboat added to Britannia collection
A SAILBOAT that was owned by the Duke of Edinburgh has been added to the historic fleet of the Royal Yacht Britannia.
The restoration of Bluebottle was funded by the Leith-based attraction over an 18-month period.
The Royal Yacht Britannia Trust said the dragon class sailboat was “formerly owned and much-loved” by Philip.
It will join yachts Coweslip and Bloodhound – both of which were also owned by Philip – at the popular Leith site, which has had a “longstanding ambition” to reunite the three historic vessels.
David Heritage, of David Heritage Racing Yachts, was funded by the trust to restore Bluebottle.
He said: “It was a great honour to undertake the challenge of rebuilding such an iconic and famous racing yacht and with the use of modern boat building techniques, bring her back to full racing condition.
“It was also an honour to know the Duke of Edinburgh was able to see photographs as the rebuild progressed, but equally sad he was unable to see the finished boat.”
The Duke served as a Royal Navy officer and was a keen sailor who was appointed admiral of the Royal Yacht Squadron.
He began sailing while he was at Gordonstoun School in Moray and often took a young Prince of Wales on to the water in Bluebottle, which was a wedding gift to the Queen from the Island Sailing Club in Cowes, Isle of Wight.