The British royal family has a centuries - old affinity with boats and the Thames . Queen 's flotilla most recent in a long tradition of regal celebrations on the Thames . Now decommissioned and on display in Edinburgh , Scotland , the vast and lavishly designed `` Britannia '' Britain 's history as a small island nation is significant in royal 's affinity with boats .
The British royal family has a centuries - old affinity with boats and the Thames . Queen 's flotilla most recent in a long tradition of regal celebrations on the Thames . Britain 's history as a small island nation is significant in royal 's affinity with boats .