By Robert Hardman, Electronic Telegraph, Friday 12 December 1997.

HMY Britannia is no more. Yesterday, the Queen disembarked for the last time and, visibly moved, watched the Royal Yacht become plain Britannia at an emotional decommissioning ceremony in Portsmouth. Fourteen members of the Royal Family, and former Royal Yachtsmen and their families, watched 337 years of tradition draw to a close as the flags came down.

In a written message to the yacht's company past and present, the Queen was fulsome in her praise for all concerned. "Looking back over forty-four years we can all reflect with pride and gratitude upon this great ship which has served the country, the Royal Navy and my family with such distinction," she wrote. "Britannia has provided magnificent support to us throughout this time, playing such an important role in the history of the second half of this century."

She thanked not only the officers and crew but their families who had "quietly but strongly" supported the yacht, particularly during its long absences overseas. She concluded: "It is with sadness that we must now say goodbye to Britannia. It is appropriate that with this final event she bows out in the style which is so typical of the manner in which her business has always been conducted." And so Britannia did.

At 2.50pm, the yacht's company manned ship, slowly processing down the port side on all three main decks. A bitter wind had no respect for ceremony and two yachtsmen suffered the excruciating indignity of seeing their caps blow off into the harbour. Fifteen minutes later, the Royal Family, including all the Queen's children, came down the royal brow. The Prince of Wales, the Duke of York and the Princess Royal all wore their naval uniforms, the latter being Commander-in-Chief of Women in the Royal Navy.

Her son, Peter Phillips, was the only member of the younger generation present. Prince Edward was accompanied by his girlfriend, Sophie Rhys-Jones. All had undertaken a farewell tour of the yacht to say goodbye to the crew followed by a buffet lunch with Britannia's former commanders, their wives or widows, the First Sea Lord and George Robertson, the Defence Secretary. The previous day, he had announced the yacht's final resting place would be either Manchester or Edinburgh, but not this harbour, her home since 1953. Last off, naturally, was the Queen. Half way, she turned with bitten lip, for one last close-up glimpse. In the royal stand the front row looked solemn but proud.

The decommissioning ceremony started with a service of thanksgiving, the atmosphere markedly closer to a funeral than a maritime ritual. Prayers were said for who had served in Britannia. But the mood lifted once Britannia's company laid on their party piece for the last time. The Band of the Royal Marines performed the Beat Retreat ceremony, just as it has done thousands of times.

The Queen looked happier as her band marched and pumped out old favourites like Shrewsbury Fair with gusto. As the Corps of Drummers and the buglers finished their routines, she led the warm applause. With so many families and fidgeting children, the occasion had an unusual air of informality which came as some relief. The handkerchiefs started appearing, however, as a piper led the band in the haunting strains of Highland Cathedral. And the eye-dabbing could not be stopped as Sunset was performed for the last time.

One can only guess what was running through royal minds. The Queen's eyes seemed to mist up in the emotion of the moment. The Princess Royal resorted to a handkerchief a couple of times. The Prince of Wales appeared most mournful of all, occasionally shaking his head, while Prince Philip stared with gritted teeth.

Rule Britannia, usually such a rabble-rouser, rang out above stony faces and the odd sniffle, to be followed by the National Anthem. But spirits lifted as the Royal Marines disappeared to their regimental march, A Life on the Ocean Wave.

Then the party began. A huge tea for everyone in the unpromising surrounds of Number One Oil Lubricating Shed - to be followed by a ball and further events.