AN EXCITING exhibition celebrating The Royal Yacht Britannia’s rich Isle of Wight history is heading to Cowes later this year.
Sailing Through Royal History, an exhibition from The Royal Yacht Britannia Trust (RYBT), will celebrate the iconic vessel’s enduring connection with Cowes, its community, and the close Royal links to an Island yacht designer.
The touring exhibition will be hosted in the historic Commodores House, once the workshop of renowned yacht designer and builder Uffa Fox.
Commodores House also hosted members of the Royal Family, including Prince Philip, who was a former crewmate and personal friend of Uffa.
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The exhibition will run throughout August, from July 31 to August 29, coinciding with major sailing events including Cowes Week Bicentenary Regatta and the two prestigious Dragon class regattas, The Edinburgh Cup and the Marblehead Trophy.
Central to the experience will be COWESLIP, the most celebrated of the Flying Fifteen keelboats, once sailed by the Royal Family.
Designed and built in Cowes by Uffa, it was presented to Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip in 1947 as a wedding gift from the local community.
Recently restored by Cowes-based David Heritage Racing Yachts, the vessel will be displayed once again on the quayside of Commodores House.
Through images, video, and virtual and augmented reality, the exhibition will explore Uffa’s major contribution to yacht design and build, the story of Royal sailing, and the longstanding presence of The Royal Yacht Britannia at Cowes Week.
In the evenings, the characterful surroundings of Commodores House will be available for private hire throughout the month of August for relaxed drinks receptions and informal dining.
As well as the exhibition, the RYBT, in partnership with the Classic Boat Museum in Cowes, has commissioned an exclusive series of informative panels located by the waterside on The Parade in Cowes.
The panels highlight the bicentenary of ‘Racing Royals’, featuring the personalities of Edward VII, George V and Prince Philip, celebrating their contribution to the maritime heritage of Cowes.
Chief executive of the RYBT, Franck Bruyère, said: “With the touring exhibition being a first for the trust, we are proud to debut Sailing Through Royal History in Cowes, one of the UK’s most significant sailing destinations.
“Working with local businesses and the people of Cowes, we are delighted to contribute to such a prestigious and historic event in this momentous bicentenary year of Cowes Week.”
Ahead of the exhibition, organisers are keen to hear from Islanders with memories of HMY Britannia.
A spokesperson for trust said: “Do you remember when the vessel was a familiar and much-loved sight at Cowes Week from her launch in 1954 through to her decommissioning in 1997?
“We’re inviting Isle of Wight locals and visitors to share their memories and stories, photographs and paintings of HMY Britannia to help us celebrate and preserve this special chapter of the Island’s history.
“Please email jo@crewkit.co.uk."
For more information, visit www.royalyachtbritannia.co.uk/cowes
To hire a space in the evenings, you can contact events@tryb.co.uk
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