United Kingdom

David Hicks

From the renowned <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/11148" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Britannia126.0m (413'5&quot;)John Brown & Sons1954">Britannia</a>, which was the "one place" where the late queen could "truly relax," to the largest privately owned superyacht in the world, the 180.61-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/23" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lürssen Yachts (Company)">Lürssen</a> <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4638" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Azzam180.61m (592'7&quot;)Lürssen Yachts2013">Azzam</a>, discover the world's most magnificent royal yachts.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/267423/image/large-8b708d541ad54324574af619017b0008.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/267423"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/932" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Norge76.26m (250'2&quot;)Camper & Nicholsons Shipyard1937">Norge</a>&nbsp;| <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Camper & Nicholsons International (Company)">Camper &amp; Nicholsons</a> | 76.26-metres | 1937One of only three remaining Royal yachts in Europe, the 76.26-metre motor yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/932" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Norge76.26m (250'2&quot;)Camper & Nicholsons Shipyard1937">Norge</a> was built in 1937 at England’s <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Camper & Nicholsons International (Company)">Camper &amp; Nicholsons Shipyard</a> in Gosport. Commissioned by the English aviation pioneer and yachtsman Sir Thomas Sopwith, the superyacht was sold shortly after to the British Admiralty in 1939 to serve in the Royal Navy.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/251092/image/large-72a06095dffa40fae9a635972cd1d144.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/251092"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/37584/image/large-6a65354a679e7b611df2b22a1d01ce8a.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/37584">Under the name HMS Philante, the vessel was known as the most luxurious warship of her time. She covered huge distances as a convoy escort vessel, clocking no less than seven Atlantic crossings between 1941 and 1942 alone. In 1947 the Norwegian government acquired the yacht and returned her to <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Camper & Nicholsons International (Company)">Camper &amp; Nicholsons</a> for a refit before christening her as <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/932" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Norge76.26m (250'2&quot;)Camper & Nicholsons Shipyard1937">Norge</a> when she came into official service on 17 May, 1948. Today she is maintained in immaculate condition and can often be seen cruising in Norwegian waters throughout the summer months.Read more:&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Article/48925" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="The ghost of yards past: Camper & Nicholsons - Part II (2018-08-27 14:30:00 +0200)">The ghost of yards past: Camper &amp; Nicholsons - Part II</a> <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/267425/image/large-3917d24b75b50f5c0573417aaf41f732.png" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/267425"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/931" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Dannebrog78.43m (257'4&quot;)Danish Royal Dockyard1932">Dannebrog</a>&nbsp;| <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/675" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Danish Royal Dockyard (Company)">Danish Royal Dockyard</a> | 78.43-metres | 1932The 78.43-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/675" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Danish Royal Dockyard (Company)">Danish Royal Dockyard&nbsp;</a>yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/931" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Dannebrog78.43m (257'4&quot;)Danish Royal Dockyard1932">Dannebrog</a> was launched in Denmark in 1931 and officially placed in service the following year. The impressive vessel was replicated from a design of the floating palaces from the XIX century, making the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/931" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Dannebrog78.43m (257'4&quot;)Danish Royal Dockyard1932">Dannebrog</a> an extraordinary exhibition of detailed craftsmanship. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/4808/image/large-99c0481f0fac865c50b51c7565cf996c.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/4808">The yacht serves as the official and private residence for Queen Margrethe II of Denmark and members of the Royal Family when they are on summer cruises in Danish waters or on official visits overseas. The yacht exhibits exterior and interior design crafted by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/675" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Danish Royal Dockyard (Company)">Danish Royal Dockyard</a>, who also penned her naval architecture. The vessel can accommodate up to 14 guests onboard, along with an impressive 52 crew members to meet their every need. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/109028/image/large-18dc3db2d6766d31e2ae9315baf351e3.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/109028"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1250" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Pacha III36.25m (118'11&quot;)Camper & Nicholsons Shipyard1936">Pacha III&nbsp;</a>| <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Camper & Nicholsons International (Company)">Camper &amp; Nicholsons Shipyard</a> | 36.25-metres | 1936Princess Caroline of Monaco is the owner of the 36.25-metre classic motor yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1250" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Pacha III36.25m (118'11&quot;)Camper & Nicholsons Shipyard1936">Pacha III</a>. Originally named Arlette II, it was requisitioned by the Royal Navy and renamed Priamar. In the 1950s, it was purchased by French industrialist Louis Renault, renamed Briseis, and subsequently moored in Saint-Tropez.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/839/image/large-11954559fd62971d6d95f1591fb03f17.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/839"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/838/image/large-4a0e8705677e1317b209c8df388b5f9c.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/838">In 1990, after falling into a state of dilapidation, the yacht was bought by Stefano Casiraghi and Princess Caroline of Monaco. However, Casiraghi died in a racing accident that same year before he could enjoy the vessel. The yacht was fully restored over two years and renamed <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1250" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Pacha III36.25m (118'11&quot;)Camper & Nicholsons Shipyard1936">Pacha III</a> in reference to the initials of Princess Caroline's children. Since the renovation, Princess Caroline and her family have used the yacht primarily for extended Mediterranean escapes. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1250" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Pacha III36.25m (118'11&quot;)Camper & Nicholsons Shipyard1936">Pacha III</a> can often be seen moored in the harbor of Monaco, and she remains a treasured possession of the Monégasque royal family.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/193964/image/large-ea7371184bebcef9e77d229a91433af4.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/193964"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/11148" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Britannia126.0m (413'5&quot;)John Brown & Sons1954">Britannia</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1653" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="John Brown & Sons (Company)">John Brown &amp; Sons</a>&nbsp;| 126-metres | 1953The 126-meter-long <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/11148" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Britannia126.0m (413'5&quot;)John Brown & Sons1954">Royal Yacht Britannia</a>, originally named HMS Britannia, was built in 1953 by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1653" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="John Brown & Sons (Company)">John Brown &amp; Sons</a> in the UK for the late Queen Elizabeth II, who was crowned the same year. With a fuel capacity of 490,000 liters and freshwater capacity of 195,000 liters, the yacht is well-equipped for extended ocean voyages. The exceptional superyacht could accommodate up to 250 guests and 271 crew members.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/193963/image/large-54008215f77af2eefb087467cca15b86.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/193963">After serving for 44 years, the yacht was decommissioned and is now displayed in Edinburgh as a top tourist attraction. The lavishly designed vessel has sailed over one million miles and hosted 968 official royal visits. It was the Queen's favorite place to relax and boasted rooms adorned with gifts from around the world, including a whale rib found by her husband and a sun lounge furnished personally by the Queen. Sir Winston Churchill, Boris Yeltsin, Rajiv Gandhi, and Nelson Mandela were among the many famous figures who joined the Queen onboard. Four royal honeymoons took place onboard, including King Charles III and Princess Diana's 16-day trip to the Mediterranean in 1981. While there have been discussions about building a new <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/11148" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Britannia126.0m (413'5&quot;)John Brown & Sons1954">Britannia</a> for the British royal family and the country's service, an official decision has yet to be made.<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Article/52813" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Royal Yacht Britannia: A look back in history (2021-04-29 16:00:00 +0200)">Read More: Royal Yacht Britannia: A look back in History<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/110940/image/large-107e78cf9c2efac99073085737131510.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/110940"></a><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/207" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Prince Abdulaziz147.01m (482'4&quot;)Helsingor Vaerft1984">Prince AbdulAziz</a>&nbsp;| <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/179" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Helsingor Vaerft (Company)">Helsingor Vaerft</a> | 147.01-metres | 1984The 147-metre <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/207" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Prince Abdulaziz147.01m (482'4&quot;)Helsingor Vaerft1984">Prince Abdulaziz</a> superyacht was built in Denmark by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/179" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Helsingor Vaerft (Company)">Helsingor Vaerft</a> in 1984. She was once the largest yacht in the world, although many others have since surpassed her. The Saudi royal family owns the superyacht, which is used for official and leisurely purposes. It was initially commissioned by the late King Fahd of Saudi Arabia, who named the yacht after his son. The impressive superyacht features exterior design and naval architecture by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/181" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Maierform Maritime Technology GmbH (Company)">Maierform Maritime Technology GmbH</a>.Despite being surpassed in size, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/207" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Prince Abdulaziz147.01m (482'4&quot;)Helsingor Vaerft1984">Prince Abdulaziz</a> remains a demonstrative and luxurious yacht. The yacht's interior took fifteen months to complete and was designed by the renowned English interior decorator and designer the late <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/182" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="David Hicks (Company)">David Hicks</a>. Hicks was known for his bold use of colors, lighting, and juxtaposition of contemporary and classical features.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/3344/image/large-486fdafca2d8ea271395a5d1a907fa35.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/3344"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4638" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Azzam180.61m (592'7&quot;)Lürssen Yachts2013">Azzam</a>&nbsp;| <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/23" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lürssen Yachts (Company)">Lürssen</a> | 180.61-metres | 2013<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4638" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Azzam180.61m (592'7&quot;)Lürssen Yachts2013">Azzam</a>, the largest privately owned superyacht in the world, was built by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/23" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lürssen Yachts (Company)">Lürssen</a> in 2013 and has a length of 180.61-metres. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/153" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Nauta Yachts S.r.l. (Company)">Nauta Yachts</a> designed her exterior, while <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4660" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Creation Line Decoration (Company)">Creation Line Decoration</a> was responsible for the sumptuous interior spaces. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4638" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Azzam180.61m (592'7&quot;)Lürssen Yachts2013">Azzam</a> can carry up to 36 guests in its eighteen guest suites, with a crew of sixty to cater to the guest's every need. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/9842/image/large-f037b39efb49ac1a6e510e051249bba3.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/9842"><img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/9837/image/large-1d7a90595be521fa9f9c285105e9369d.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/9837">Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan of Abu Dhabi’s royal family commissioned the vessel as a day boat to access his preferred diving sites. The yacht has a gym, a pool, and even a "golf training room." It cost the Sheikh an estimated $600 million to build. Engineers were reportedly meticulously detailed about the yacht's stability to ensure minimal turbulence to prevent the chandeliers from clinking while at sea. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4638" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Azzam180.61m (592'7&quot;)Lürssen Yachts2013">Azzam's</a> reign as the world's largest privately-owned yacht is soon to end, as Norwegian millionaire Kjell Inge Rokke is building the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/5306" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="REV Ocean (Company)">REV Ocean</a>, a 183-meter-long vessel designed to clean the ocean floors.Read more:&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Article/56215" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Lürssen's giants: the German builder’s fleet of 100m+ superyachts (2022-10-21 14:30:00 +0200)">Lürssen's giants: the German builder’s fleet of 100m+ superyachts<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/46401/image/large-5c9bab32a2a97f7eaa91569e4c3e3967.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/46401"></a><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1514" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Foners41.5m (136'2&quot;)Izar2000">Foners</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/93" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Izar (Company)">Izar</a>&nbsp;| 41.5-metres | 2000<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1514" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Foners41.5m (136'2&quot;)Izar2000">Foners</a>, formerly known as Fortuna was once championed as the world’s fastest superyacht, reaching a top speed of 65 knots. The <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/93" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Izar (Company)">Izar</a> motor yacht was first delivered by the Spanish shipyard in 2000 and was the superyacht to the Spanish royal family under the ownership of King Juan Carlos of Spain. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/24770/image/large-d783d2800a4fa6a0ede845443814f209.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/24770">The superyacht's esteemed speed was thanks to her three <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/2207" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Rolls-Royce Marine (Company)">Rolls Royce</a> gas turbines linked to triple waterjets in addition to twin<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1441" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="MAN (Company)">&nbsp;MAN</a> engines. The Spanish royal yacht features naval architecture by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/146" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Donald L. Blount & Associates (Company)">Donald L. Blount &amp; Associates</a> with an exterior design crafted by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/118" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Studio Arch. Tommaso Spadolini (Company)">Studio Arch, Tommaso Spadolini</a>, and interior design and curation by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/644" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Celeste Dell`Anna (Company)">Celeste Dell'Anna</a>. The <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/93" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Izar (Company)">Izar</a> yacht is able to accommodate as many as 8 guests onboard with further accommodation for 6 crew. After experiencing two recessions and the Spanish citizen's confidence in their royal family decreased, subsequently encouraging the Spanish Royal yacht to sell their yacht.&nbsp;Read more about this yachts designer:&nbsp;<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Article/57234" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="In conversation with Tommaso Spadolini: Three new superyacht designs for 2023 (2023-03-27 13:30:00 +0200)">In conversation with Tommaso Spadolini: Three new superyacht designs for 2023</a>

Worlds largest royal yachts

Discover the rich history of royal superyachts.

The World’s Most Magnificent Royal Yachts

<img src="/uploads/store/photo/106906/image/large-3cf56e14bfe96feab46eddf9242e9706.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/106906">Pictured here docked at Pendik Marina in Turkey, the 61.3-metre motor yacht <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1922" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Voyager61.3m (201'1&quot;)Astilleros Celaya S.A.1973">Voyager</a> has been entertaining guests at sea since she was first unveiled by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/855" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Astilleros Celaya S.A. (Company)">Astilleros Celaya</a> in 1973 as Nefertiti.&nbsp;Both her naval and exterior design were penned by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/213" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Sparkman & Stephens, Inc. (Company)">Sparkman &amp; Stephens, Inc.</a>, and her 752 GT interior, originally the work of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1351" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Civitella Design S.A. (Company)">Civitella Design</a>, is capable of accommodating up to 12 guests. Following an initial refit in 2009 that saw her interior redecorated by <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/182" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="David Hicks (Company)">David Hicks fabrics</a>, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1922" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Voyager61.3m (201'1&quot;)Astilleros Celaya S.A.1973">Voyager</a> underwent more substantial changes during her refit in 2012, which saw the removal of her aft deck swimming pool, as well as her main deck superstructure being lengthened and modified to include a helideck. As evidenced by this photograph, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1922" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Voyager61.3m (201'1&quot;)Astilleros Celaya S.A.1973">Voyager</a>'s exterior is currently undergoing a repaint in Turkey.

61m classic Astilleros Celaya yacht Voyager in Pendik Marina

The 61.3-metre motor yacht Voyager was recently pictured in Pendik Marina in Turkey undergoing a repaint. See more on SYT.

<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/164493/image/large-e0d29ed280e4edec2e23ca78a2b45953.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/164493">

World’s former largest yacht – the 147-metre Prince Abulaziz

When the 147-metre Prince Abdulaziz was launched in Denmark in 1984, she became known as the largest yacht in the world and remained at the top of the 100-largest yachts list until the arrival of the 162-metre M/Y Dubai in 2006. Since that date, a total number of six other yachts have been launched that measures over 147 metres. Prince Abdulaziz belongs to the Saudi Royal Family and can often be seen around the Balearic Islands and South of France regions. Her home port is registered as Jeddah.

Photo by Dariusz