Britain’s Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee barge is to become a luxury cruiser in Portugal.
The Spirit of Chartwell vessel – selected to be the royal barge in 2011 and given a £1 million redecoration for the occasion – will be used to ferry passengers along the Douro River near the country’s capital city of Porto.
The barge, resplendent in red, gold and purple, was used to ferry the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh from Battersea to Tower Bridge in June 2013, leading a 1,000 strong flotilla.
Portuguese company DouroAzul, who have bought the boat, plan to keep the rustic elements of its decor intact when it is moved.
Mario Ferreira, the company’s chief executive, said: ”It is important to keep the charm that it has because it’s a very charming vessel.
”The original front is in a museum in England so we have a second one to keep the spirit.
”The interior is as it was, most of the rooms weren’t even used, they were still brand new.
”It’s a great opportunity for the people that saw that event and saw that beautiful vessel to come and experience it, have a relaxed trip and be treated like royalty.”
Mario added he feels the Douro Valley is the ”perfect surrounding” to offer cruises.
Originally the barge was set to stay in England and operate as a luxury cruiser, but its previous owner, Philip Morrell couldn’t reach an agreement with the Port of London over its proposed route.