THE
ROYAL YACHTS
By Richard Johnstone-Bryden, Part 3 The era of the Sailor Kings, Edward VII and George V, and the great yacht whose influence spanned 40 years
The RULE of BRITANNIA
T 56 CLASSIC BOAT APRIL 2012
he Royal Family’s relationship with the sport of yachting entered a new phase during the reign of Queen Victoria when her eldest son, the Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII, decided take it up. His passion for the sea had been triggered by childhood cruises with his parents in the steam yacht Victoria & Albert from Cowes to Wales, Ireland and Scotland. Memories of the inaugural race for the America’s Cup on 23 August 1851 may have also left a lasting impression on the Prince. As a nine-year-old boy, he joined his parents onboard Victoria & Albert to watch the outcome of this historic event. When Prince Albert and his son, who was dressed in a white sailor suit, were rowed ashore, it caused quite a stir on nearby passenger boats.
Later on, the royal family were acknowledged by
America’s crew, who lowered the ensign and removed their hats as they passed the anchored royal yacht off Alum Bay on their way to victory.
Above: King Edward VII (right) with King Alfonse XIII of Spain Right: Britannia off Cowes, 1930
Twelve years later, the Prince accepted the Royal
Yacht Squadron’s invitation to become its patron in succession to his father. He purchased the first of his yachts in 1866. The 37-ton cutter Dagmar, named after his sister-in-law, was followed by two 40-ton cutters, Alexandra in 1871 and Princess in 1872, and the 38-ton small screw steamer Zenobia in 1873. A year later, the Prince succeeded the late Lord de Ros as commodore of the Royal Thames YC. He also accepted the presidency of the Yacht Racing Association in 1881 and was elected commodore of the RYS in 1882. Upon his accession to the throne he became admiral of the RYS and patron of the RTYC.
The Prince started racing in the Solent following his purchase of Gilbert Moss’s two-year-old schooner Hildegarde in 1876. He preferred to sail on board his yachts as a spectator rather than taking a hands-on role, so he appointed John Nicholls as Hildegarde’s skipper. It proved to be a winning combination, with victory in a closely fought race for the Town Cup in heavy weather
BEKEN OF COWES
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