9 surprising facts about the Royal Yacht Britannia, the Queen's 'floating palace' that she took on lavish vacations

Melissa WileyMay 7, 2021, 00:52 IST

Queen Elizabeth II traveled the world on the Royal Yacht Britannia from 1953 to 1997. It's now a museum in Scotland.Background: Anwar Hussein/Getty Images. Inlay: Bettmann/Getty Images

The Royal Yacht Britannia was the royal family's private yacht from 1953 to 1997.
The queen once said that "Britannia is the one place where I can truly relax."
The yacht, now a public museum in Scotland, had several surprising details and protocols when in use.

Shouting was forbidden on the Royal Yacht Britannia, and officers wore gym shoes to stay silent near areas where the Royal Family ate and slept, according to the yacht's official website.

The Queen's bedroom aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia. Courtesy Marc Millar / Royal Yacht Britannia

Shouting was forbidden on the Royal Yacht Britannia, and officers wore gym shoes to stay silent near areas where the Royal Family ate and slept, according to the yacht's official website.

Children were assigned an officer known as a "sea daddy" to look over them while onboard and keep them entertained with activities like treasure hunts and water fights.

Prince William, 9, and Prince Harry, 7, wave from the Royal Yacht Britannia under the watchful gaze of the vessel's captain on October 22, 1991. Dick Loek/Toronto Star via Getty Images

There was a room aboard the ship called the "Jelly Room" that existed for the sole purpose of storing royal children's jellies, a gelatin dessert that Americans might call "Jell-O."

Prince Charles shakes hands with a Naval officer before boarding Royal Yacht Britannia for Tobruk, North Africa in 1954. PA Images via Getty Images

There was a room aboard the ship called the "Jelly Room" that existed for the sole purpose of storing royal children's jellies, a gelatin dessert that Americans might call "Jell-O."

All of the clocks onboard the Royal Yacht Britannia are stopped at 3:01 pm, the last time the Queen stepped off the ship during its decommissioning ceremony in December 1997.

Clocks on the Royal Yacht Britannia are frozen at 3:01 pm. Courtesy Marc Millar / Royal Yacht Britannia

All of the clocks onboard the Royal Yacht Britannia are stopped at 3:01 pm, the last time the Queen stepped off the ship during its decommissioning ceremony in December 1997.

The ship had a full-time staff of more than 240 yachtsmen, known as "yotties," and cost an estimated $15 million to operate each year, Reuters reported.

The Queen And Prince Philip Arriving In San Diego. The Royal Yacht Britannia Is In The Background. Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images

The "yotties" had a daily ration of rum until the 1970s, according to the yacht's official website.

Former royal yachtsmen gather on the Royal Yacht Britannia. Courtesy Royal Yacht Britannia

The former royal yachtsmen reunite annually to help maintain the ship.

Former royal yachtsmen gather on the Royal Yacht Britannia. Courtesy Royal Yacht Britannia

Between Royal Family vacations and official tours, the yacht logged over one million miles, the equivalent of one trip around the world for each of its 44 years at sea.

The Queen cuts a ribbon in the engine of the Royal Yacht Britannia, watched by Prince Philip, on February 27, 1994, to mark the ship's millionth mile. Martin Keene/PA Images via Getty Images

The State Dining Room tables, which could seat 56 people, took three hours to set. The location of each utensil was measured meticulously with a ruler.

Courtesy Marc Millar / Royal Yacht Britannia

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9 surprising facts about the Royal Yacht Britannia, the Queen's 'floating palace' that she took on lavish vacations

Shouting was forbidden on the Royal Yacht Britannia, and officers wore gym shoes to stay silent near areas where the Royal Family ate and slept, according to the yacht's official website.

Children were assigned an officer known as a "sea daddy" to look over them while onboard and keep them entertained with activities like treasure hunts and water fights.

There was a room aboard the ship called the "Jelly Room" that existed for the sole purpose of storing royal children's jellies, a gelatin dessert that Americans might call "Jell-O."

All of the clocks onboard the Royal Yacht Britannia are stopped at 3:01 pm, the last time the Queen stepped off the ship during its decommissioning ceremony in December 1997.

The ship had a full-time staff of more than 240 yachtsmen, known as "yotties," and cost an estimated $15 million to operate each year, Reuters reported.

The "yotties" had a daily ration of rum until the 1970s, according to the yacht's official website.

The former royal yachtsmen reunite annually to help maintain the ship.

Between Royal Family vacations and official tours, the yacht logged over one million miles, the equivalent of one trip around the world for each of its 44 years at sea.

The State Dining Room tables, which could seat 56 people, took three hours to set. The location of each utensil was measured meticulously with a ruler.