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A historic Windermere pleasure craft which took part in one of the most historic Royal events ever seen – is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year.
The Queen of the Lake has been a permanent resident on England’s longest lake since it was built back in 1949. The only time it’s ever left its Lake District home was to take part in the spectacular Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant for HRH Queen Elizabeth II in 2012.
It underwent a 600-mile round road trip on a low loader to take part in the event in London which was watched by millions around the world over the Jubilee weekend. It was one 670 vessels which gathered on the river for the event.
Onboard that day was Alex Williamson – Windermere’s “boat doctor” who has spent 40 years looking after Windermere Lake Cruises famous vessels.
“The Queen of the Lake is one of my favourites,” says Alex: “I’ve always loved the traditional wooden launches and its great to know she is still in pristine condition and giving such pleasure to passengers at such a venerable age.”
He rates the Queen of the Lake’s involvement in the Jubilee Pageant as one of the best memories of his long career. He oversaw the operation to transport the vessel to London to take part.
“To be part of history and one of 670 vessels involved in that flotilla is something I will never forget,” says Alex. “It was a once in a lifetime event and I can feel the hairs on the back of my neck sticking up now just thinking about it!
“Getting her out of the water, transported down south and then on to the river Thames was a real honour,” he says.
The Queen of the Lake’s Royal connections don’t stop there. Just two years prior to the Jubilee, the then Prince Charles, now HRH King Charles III, sailed on her during one of his regular Royal visits to Windermere.
Queen of the Lake was built by Watercraft of Molesey in 1949 and almost 45 feet in length and weighs 13 tonnes. She was owned from new by the Ambleside Motor Launch Company – licenced to carry 84 people.
In 1968 the Ambleside company was bought by the Bowness Bay Boating Company which in 1993 bought the Windermere Iron Steamboat Company and became Windermere Lake Cruises.
Sales and Marketing Director at Windermere Lake Cruises, Jennifer Cormack, says, “While Queen of the Lake is one of our smaller boats, she’s certainly no-less iconic than any of our larger ‘steamers’. She’s very much a highlight of Windermere Lake Cruises’ history and has certainly seen more than her fair share of adventures!”
Tens of thousands of people have travelled on the Queen of the Lake during her 75 years and she’s been seen on TV more than any other boat in the Windermere Lake Cruises fleet, including the famous ‘steamers’.
