By Paul Topping

Brits are likely to be aware of the great Royal British ship Britannia. It was a ship built to take the royal family around the world. It visited over 135 countries and 600 ports, with pomp and ceremony, with its own band.

This ship was in its day the most luxurious of its type. It served in many ways, so the Royal Family could travel around the world, flying the flag of Great Britain, the Empire, and keeping links with diminishing colonies. There were 968 official visits. It was used to rescue 1,000 people and take them out of trouble in Aden in 1986. The Queen was on board at the time.

A crew of 250 were needed at sea, plus Royal Marines and household palace staff who travelled if the Queen was doing a long trip. This ship was and is still shipshape. Today, it is still in immaculate condition, though of an old, elegant era. Now it is a floating museum situated in Leith, Edinburgh. To access it, you have to go through a shopping mall in a new inner-city suburb, which is not too upmarket. It is docked in an unattractive industrial port. Ironic, to say the least. They say it's the most visited attraction in Edinburgh? 

The dining room could seat fifty-six, with bars for royals, the rich and famous, and their guests. There were separate bars for the officers and another for the crew.

This ship has entertained presidents from around the world, celebrities such as Winston Churchill, Frank Sinatra, Nelson Mandela, Bob Hope and many more.
Back in the fifties, the ship was built as number 691 in Clydebank. It was not divulged who the rich owner would be, perhaps for security reasons.

Later, in the fit-out, the name Britannia was chosen. Launched in 1953, it was decommissioned in 1997.

In 2012, the Queen and Prince Philip took the Britannia launch down the Thames to celebrate her Diamond Jubilee.

The demise of the "royals' ship" came in 1997 when the then English Prime Minister said the government could not afford such a luxury. Forty-four years of service, and many years as a floating museum.

So, it's another rainy day in Edinburgh, and we head out to the ship. We get to the ship via a quiet shopping mall and join a queue to get on. They give you a handheld speaker system to walk the ship with; the sound quality is excellent. In each room or deck you stand on, there is a commentary. If it's not your "bag", you can move to the next area and tap the next room on your provided handheld guide.

There are many rooms to visit and get the brief. There is an immaculate engine room. Something that gets all those "nut heads" bouncing. It's difficult to stay in your group as people's interests vary. The Queen and hubby had separate bedrooms, quite basic and small. He was a tall chap. There are cabins for the band, Royal Army security, and Navy military.

The wooden decks give the ship a palatial feel.

Next to the ship is the official Royal launch, and the open Land Rover of the late fifties, alongside other relevant exhibitions.

I'm so glad we made the effort to see the old lady, looking so good. Twenty-three pounds is a reasonable amount to pay for two hours of entertainment.

Once Queen Elizabeth died, I lost interest and respect in the British Royal Family. Jezzabel, as a true Aussie, believes there should be no royals. Great tourist attraction, however.