Coronation of King Charles III

King Charles III, then known as the Prince of Wales, first stepped aboard Britannia when he was 6 years old in 1954. The Prince of Wales and his sister, Princess Royal, made the maiden voyage on board the brand-new Royal Yacht to Malta to meet their parents, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, who were in Tobruk on Royal duties.

©PA Images/ Alamy Stock Photo. The Prince of Wales and Princess Anne, with two members of the royal yacht's crew, peer forward to watch the ceremonies as the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh landed at Gibraltar.

King Charles spent many summer holidays aboard Britannia, with family holidays sailing around the Western Isles, landing on remote beaches, away from the public eye. Growing up aboard Britannia, the Princess Royal said, 'We found as children that there was so much to do, we expended so much energy that we couldn't describe our time on the Yacht as a rest'.

The Royal children would sometimes help around the yacht for example cleaning on deck but there was lots of time to enjoy treasure hunts and water fights too. An inflatable padding pool was set up on the Verandah Deck during hot weather. A real treat, they also visited the onboard NAAFI shop to buy sweets!

In later years, King Charles spent time aboard Britannia for his honeymoon to Princess Diana where they sailed from Gibraltar, to Italy and Greece, ending their trip in Egypt. In later years their sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, both travelled aboard Britannia for their own childhood holidays.

The Coronation of King Charles III takes place on 6 May. Aboard Britannia we too will join the nation in marking this historic occasion. Click here to find out more.

Crown Copyright. Prince Charles steps off Britannia.