The Duke of Windsor's Royal Yacht Britannia racing flag

The Duke of Windsor’s racing flag from Royal Yacht Britannia

This large racing flag was made from pieced wool bunting with machine stitching, of rectangular form with the Prince of Wales feathers enclosed in a ducal coronet and the motto Ich Dien on a halved blue and red ground, fitted with a rope and toggle, later framed and glazed, the frame with a plaque stating ‘Racing Flag of the Royal Yacht Britannia, 1893-1935. From the Collection of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor.’ English, circa 1930. Provenance: Collection of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Sotheby’s February 20-28 1998. Lot 356 (size miscatalogued.) This ensign is a rare royal memento of the racing yacht Britannia, commissioned by Albert Edward, Prince of Wales (later Edward VII), the Duke of Windsor’s grandfather. Designed by George Lennox Watson, Britannia had a long and illustrious career, remaining in commission until 1935, winning 231 races and taking 129 flags in the process. She was scuttled off the Isle of Wight at the dying request of George V.

Height: 50¾in (128.9cm) Width: 71½in (182cm) Framed height: 56in (142.5cm) Width: 77in (195.5cm)