A SAILBOAT gifted to the Duke of Edinburgh by an Isle of Wight yacht club has been added to the historic fleet of the Royal Yacht Britannia.

The restoration of Bluebottle was funded by the Leith-based attraction over an 18-month period.

The Royal Yacht Britannia Trust said the dragon class sailboat was “formerly owned and much-loved” by Prince Philip.

It will join yachts Coweslip and Bloodhound — both of which were also owned by Philip — at the popular Leith site, which has had a “longstanding ambition” to reunite the three historic vessels.

Prince Philip began sailing while he was at Gordonstoun School in Moray and often took a young Prince of Wales on to the water in Bluebottle, which was a wedding gift to the Queen from the Island Sailing Club in Cowes.

The Duke served as a Royal Navy officer and was a keen sailor who was appointed admiral of the Royal Yacht Squadron in Cowes.

Isle of Wight County Press: David Heritage on board Bluebottle after he spent 18 months restoring the royal sailing yacht, which joins the historic fleet at the Royal Yacht Britannia's charitable trust in Edinburgh. Pictures: PA.David Heritage on board Bluebottle after he spent 18 months restoring the royal sailing yacht, which joins the historic fleet at the Royal Yacht Britannia's charitable trust in Edinburgh. Pictures: PA.

David Heritage, of David Heritage Racing Yachts, was funded by the trust to restore Bluebottle.

He said: “It was a great honour to undertake the challenge of rebuilding such an iconic and famous racing yacht and with the use of modern boat building techniques, bring her back to full racing condition.

“It was also an honour to know that the Duke of Edinburgh was able to see photographs as the rebuild progressed, but equally sad that he was unable to see the finished boat.”

In 1956 Bluebottle was loaned to the British sailing team competing at the Melbourne Olympics, winning a bronze medal.

The restored yacht is expected to compete for the Edinburgh Cup at the British Dragon Association’s UK championships in late August.