Newly released filed show Buckingham Palace courtiers lobbied John Major’s government in 1993 as ministers debated over whether to replace the Royal Yacht Britannia. Queen Elizabeth II’s much-loved vessel was used to host state visits, royal tours, and receptions across the globe, essentially acting as a floating embassy.
As reported in the Independent, John Major’s government at the time was deciding whether to commission a new vessel, at an eye-watering estimated cost of £50m. Documents released by the National Archives at Kew in London, show senior palace staff privately approached Downing Street to see if the Prime Minister would stress Britannia’s “inestimable value” in a Commons statement. The plan, however, was dismissed by the Cabinet Office, which said any such comment would be highly “prejudicial”.
It was widely believed that the late Queen Elizabeth II strongly favoured the commissioning of a new yacht, however, the Royal Family was keen to avoid political interference. Queen Elizabeth used the yacht to conduct official tours and strengthen diplomatic ties, particularly with Commonwealth countries.
Palace courtiers wanted to persuade the Prime Minister to demonstrate Britannia’s “inestimable value” to the nation. The issue of a new yacht came at a difficult time for the Government and for the Palace because there had been a public backlash the previous year when ministers announced the taxpayer would pick up the bill for the restoration of Windsor Castle following a catastrophic fire.
In the aftermath of her “annus horribilis”, which included the separation of Prince Charles and Diana, the late Queen Elizabeth II agreed she would pay taxes for the first time.
With John Major due to announce the historic move in a statement to Parliament, the late Queen’s private secretary Sir Robert Fellowes saw an opportunity. He asked the Prime Minister’s principal private secretary if Mr Major would insert a passage referring to the importance of Britannia as well as the Queen’s flight and the royal train.
However, Nicolas Bevan, the official heading the working group set up to consider the future of the yacht, warned that the proposed remarks could be “prejudicial” to any future decisions.
On May 13, 1993, senior government officials, led by the cabinet secretary Sir Robin Butler, were invited to a “splendid lunch” on board Britannia where they were regaled by the former lord mayor of London, Sir Hugh Bidwell, and the Earl of Limerick, a senior banker, on the value of the yacht to UK business.
Later on, the Major government announced in January 1997 that they would build a replacement yacht if they were returned to power in the general election later that year.
When Labour swept to power with a landslide win, under Tony Blair, they promptly reversed the decision. Many key family events took place aboard Britannia, including honeymoons for royal couples, family vacations, and when Britannia was finally decommissioned in December 1997, Queen Elizabeth II, who rarely displayed any emotion in public, was seen shedding a tear.
Express.co.uk has approached Buckingham Palace for comment.
