The little people, a metaphor.

This is Britannia - the yacht that was once the preferred mode of transport for HM the Queen. Nowadays it lies at Leith and is a main tourist attraction. It costs £12 for a grown up to visit her. No refund or free admittance for those little people, you and me, that actually paid for the construction and upkeep of the thing for years...

It's sold to us as being the craft that entertained and wowed world leaders, the ship that carried the British crown and its pomp to the four corners of the earth. Hmmm, up to a point perhaps. What they don't mention is that almost everything in Britannia was removed by the royals before she was de-commissioned - I think they maybe sold a lot of it on Ebay to raise a few quid for a trip to the races? What you see today is a facsimile. The thought of the little people tramping all over her was too much to bare for one prominent Royal - she advocated scuttling this craft at sea. Bah humbug - I really don't like the Royal family (HMQ excepted) at all. Time for a change methinks!

The only aspect of pride I derive from looking at this ship is that she is testament to the skills of the shipbuilders and nautical designers of the Clyde.