Final designs for new royal yacht to be revealed ahead of Platinum Jubilee

Final designs for a new national flagship that will replace the former Royal Yacht Britannia are set to be revealed in spring 2022, ahead of Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

According to a newly-published strategy plan for the National Shipbuilding Office, the government is "working towards a design announcement in spring 2022," with aims "to cut metal by the end of 2022."

The ship will be built at a reported cost of £250 million and, according to the National Shipbuilding Strategy, could enter service between 2025 and 2026.

The tendering process for the design and construction of the ship, which is intended to reinvigorate UK shipbuilding, will get underway shortly. The construction and design of the ship “will showcase cutting-edge British shipbuilding, engineering and technology ” and boast “clean maritime technologies,” the UK government said.

Crewed by the Royal Navy, the ship will embark on “six-month” itineraries, according to the government, which might include docking in a country where a prime ministerial visit is taking place, hosting trade fairs or providing a venue for an international trade summit.

"The Flagship will be a visible demonstration of the UK's commitment to enhance and strengthen trade with our key export markets around the world. It will provide a unique convening power to UK exporters and a secure sovereign hub for diplomatic events," the strategy has outlined.

In a forward to the documents, Prime minister Boris Johnson described the new flagship as "a beacon of British values." 

"I see our National Flagship hosting the final negotiations for yet another British export contract and showing off the prowess of UK shipbuilding," wrote Johnson.

The ship will be the successor to the 126 metre Royal Yacht Britannia, which was used as Queen Elizabeth II’s royal yacht from 1954 to 1997, hosting up to 250 guests at a time and crewed by 21 officers and 250 yachtsmen from the Royal Navy.

Sources:boatinternational.com

Photo:Tom McGhie