princess yachts history

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Princess Yachts 50-year history in photos

To celebrate 50 years of Princess Yachts, we’ve been taking a look back at some of the Plymouth yard's most historic models

Princess Yachts is celebrating its 50th birthday in 2015. And to mark this major milestone we’ve been taking a look back at some of the company’s greatest hits.

The story began on Newport Street in Plymouth in 1965. It was here that ex-Naval officer David King and two friends started a company called Marine Projects.

Their first model, which was named Project 31 , was built on the hull of a Senior 31 and fitted out in a rented shed.

From such humble beginnings, Marine Projects made huge advances over the following years. This led to the 1969 launch of the Princess 32 – the first model to bear the name.

Eleven years later the company began work on the Princess 30DS with a promising young designer called Bernard Olesinski. His name has since become a byword for the deep-vee hull.

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In 1984 the launch of the Princess 286 Riviera cemented this company’s status in the high-speed sports cruiser market. Its twin 270hp Volvo AQ271/DP engines gave a top speed of more than 30 knots.

The V-Class range was rolled out in 1994 with the arrival of the Princess V39 , which in its latest guise is still one of the company’s best sellers more than 20 years later.

From Marine Projects to Princess Yachts International

But wasn’t until 2001 that the company was officially renamed as Princess Yachts International, with production split over three sites in Devonport, Plympton and Lee Mill.

And in 2008 a buyout by L Capital allowed further expansion, taking the Princess range over the 100ft mark for the first time.

However, the latest new vessel to be launched is the Princess 68 – our cover star for March .

But with founder David King still at the helm, there’s plenty more to come.

Princess has hinted at further launches in the Flybridge, V-Class and S-Class ranges in 2015. Here’s to 50 more years!

To relive the history of Princess Yachts so far, click on the slideshow above or watch the video below.

Largest Princess model added to charter fleet

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Did you know?

From their beginnings in 1965, over 17,000 Princess Yachts have been manufactured. Now, they build an amazing average of 270 yachts a year. This means that every few days another yacht is completed which is incredible!

Over 21 miles of cable go into a 40 M yacht. If you laid the cable along the road, it would take you all the way from Plymouth to Totnes.

In the furniture factory, the team processes 500 sheets of wood a day. The sheets of walnut or oak are produced in Holland and the trees they are taken from are hand-chosen for Princess.

Around 7 times each month, roads in Plymouth are closed between 2.30am – 4.30am so the yachts can be pulled around the roundabouts and down streets in the wrong direction!

The biggest boat has only 13 mm height clearance under the Marsh Mills flyover and in warm weather the tyres need to be deflated to make it under and through.

Princess Yachts own 4 police cars which are driven by police officers (on non-emergency duty) to escort the boats during the early morning moves.

Princess Yachts

Princess Yachts are famous for building some of the world’s finest and most luxurious yachts, which they manufacture at their  5 different sites in Plymouth and sell all over the world.  The company is extremely proud of their Plymouth heritage – their logo includes the words “Crafted in Plymouth”. 80-85% of everything you see on a Princess Yacht has been made in-house by the company’s Plymouth teams.

“Where there’s warm weather and water, you will find Princess Yachts. There’s always a carefully crafted part of Plymouth floating around some of the most beautiful places in the world”   Antony Sheriff, Executive Chairman, Princess Yachts

Princess Yachts is also honoured to be the first luxury yacht manufacturer to officially partner with the Marine Conservation Society. Since 2016 they have worked together to support marine environments, preserving reefs and sea life for present and future generations.

Typical job roles include: Marine Engineering, Fabrication/Welding, Carpentry, Computer Aided Design,Composites, HR, Learning and Development and Finance

Apprenticeships: Princess Yachts has a variety of four year apprenticeship courses available each year including; Marine Engineering, Carpentry/boat building, CAD Development, Fabricating and Welding, Business Administration, HR, Finance, IT and Composites. Find out more about the company’s Apprenticeship Scheme below in the Get to Know Princess Yachts section.

Princess look for potential apprentices with the right attitude, the right qualities and the desire to fulfil their potential – people who can stand out from the crowd and deliver the high standards of quality and service expected in the luxury yacht business. Applicants need to be dedicated, eager to learn, and keen to combine hands on work with study in their own time.

University Placements  are available in the CAD department.

Graduate Programme : Princess Yachts also offers a graduate programme for those who are leaving university, with opportunities in Accountancy and Finance, Business Operational Management, Commercial, Sales, Human Resources, Naval Engineering, Naval Architecture, Marketing and Communications, Development

Princessyachts.com

3000 Employees Worldwide

5 Plymouth Manufacturing Sites at Stonehouse, Coypool, South Yard, Langage, Lee Mill.

Distributors in over 100 countries.

Get to Know Princess Yachts

Princess yachts apprenticeship scheme (section 1 of 2).

Princess works in partnership with the South Devon Marine Academy which has a dedicated Princess Yachts workshop, equipped with a V40 hull where apprentices can learn skills in all aspects of the business, offering a truly immersive experience.

The Scheme offers a mix of classroom-study with practical work and real experience and gives participants the chance to work with world-class boat-builders and other professionals who are passionate about passing on their knowledge.

The first year of the apprenticeship programme, is undertaken at South Devon College where apprentices complete additional marine qualifications such as RYA Powerboat Level 2, RYA Sea Survival, RYA VHF Radio Operators Licence and RYA First Aid as well as taking part in off water activities.  SEE NEXT SECTION FOR MORE INFO…

PRINCESS YACHTS APPRENTICESHIP SCHEME (Section 2 of 2)

In the third week of an apprenticeship, the apprentices can undertake a week long residential programme at Heatree, Exeter with activities such as canoeing, rock climbing and abseiling to learn new skills including team working, self-motivation and leadership.

Apprentices’ are also taken to the Southampton Boat Show where they enjoy attending the Princess Yachts stand to really help them grasp the bigger picture and understand the exceptional global luxury brand that they are now part of.

After their first year is completed, each Apprentice is assigned to work at one of Princess Yachts’ five sites around Plymouth where they will be fully trained in their specialism.

Find out more about the Apprenticeship Scheme here

LUXURY MOTOR YACHTS AND SUPER YACHTS

Princess Yachts craft a range of highly developed luxury yachts, which are said to be the envy of the yacht manufacturing and retail community.

At 40 metres long, the Princess 40M is the company’s largest yacht to date and is classed as a super-yacht. It has the luxury price tag of £18 million! Across the yacht’s three decks, there are sunbathing hideaways, a spa bath, dining areas and even a walk-in beach club.

Click here to take a 360 tour of the Princess 40M and see the amazing craftsmanship of the Plymouth yacht building teams.

The M Class super-yachts are constructed in one of Plymouth’s most historically important areas at South Yard, which is a former naval yard dating back to the 17th century and where the city’s dockyard originally began.

CAREFULLY DESIGNED INTERIORS

As you can see here, the Y85 caters for relaxation as well as speed. The flybridge has a fantastic deck for enjoying the sights and sounds of the ocean and marinas while the saloon creates an elegant space for seating and dining.

There is a careful design process for every element of a Princess Yacht. Each newly designed yacht goes through a Mock-Up stage. This is a one-to-one scale replication of the final yacht to test exactly how the new layout works, to check head heights, door way functionality, and how the furniture and materials will feel in the space. You can watch a film about the Mock-Up Stage here.

NEW PERFORMANCE SPORTS YACHTS

The R Class is the brand new range of performance sports yachts by Princess. The R35 pictured here, is a revolutionary yacht which was designed in conjunction with Ben Ainslie Racing Technologies (yes – Ben Ainslie – one of the most successful Olympics sailors of all time!) and legendary Italian car designers, Pininfarina.

This yacht can reach a top speed of 50 knots. Only the fastest swimming fish in the world could keep up with the R Class yachts.

To confuse the eye and help conceal its design until its official launch, the prototype R35 was actually covered in dazzle camouflage which was created by Plymouth College of Art student, Katie Sheppard. Take a look at the sea trial of the prototype R35 in its dazzle camouflage design here.

SEE INSIDE PRINCESS

If you would like to see more inside Princess Yachts, watch some of their manufacturing processes, find out how the yachts are tested on water and understand the company’s amazing history and craftsmanship – visit the Princess Yachts webpage here  “Inside Princess” and scroll down to watch their interesting video.

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Inside Princess Yachts: How are they built

Saturday 30th November 2019

The sports boat and motoryacht market is by no means deficient in boat buying options. The modern buyer is now able to explore a vast range of designers, builders and brands in a bid to tailor his boat to his favoured marine application before committing to a decision. In terms of choice and accessibility, that certainly has its merits, but as we continue to see established brands taking ever greater advantage of the production efficiencies offered by third-party suppliers, overseas workforces and shared construction facilities, a builder like Princess Yachts stands out as markedly different.

Based in Plymouth at the traditional maritime hub of England’s southwest, Princess Yachts expanded fast after the original founder moved into a rental shed on an offshoot of the River Tamar back in 1965. By the time the company had reached its 40 th anniversary in 2005, it boasted 81,000 square metres of space, 1,450 employees and global sales in excess of £140 million. And following its entry into the superyacht sector in 2011 with the first of the new M Class yachts, it continued to expand. The company we see today employs more than 3000 people across seven manufacturing plants and has raised production from 230 boats a year to more than 300. And yet the story of yacht production at Princess is not defined by scale of operations or speed of production. It’s defined by culture, process and mindset…  

Keeping it in-house One of the most fundamental differences at Princess Yachts is the fact that the company designs and builds 80% of its components in-house. There’s an argument that the yard’s relative geographical isolation has compelled it to become self-sufficient over the years but whatever the truth might be, Princess now runs dedicated in-house departments for a variety of specialist tasks that most builders are compelled to outsource. For instance, Princess operates its own mould shop, where it builds its own plugs with a pair of five-axis cutting machines and uses resin infusion to create everything from its decks and structures to the hull of its 40-metre flagship. The fact that the process is controlled by computer and put under vacuum helps ensure exact fibre-to-resin ratios for greater consistency, stiffness and strength. And in addition to reducing weight for uprated on-water speed and efficiency, the absence of cumbersome stiffening beams helps optimise internal volume for increased space and versatility. Princess also runs a dedicated metal shop, where all the stainless steel fittings are built, as well as its own specialist loom shop. Here, specialist technicians pre-assemble all the required wiring harnesses in preparation for the fit-out of a yacht – and while that gives Princess the ability to alter designs mid-build, it also enables them to incorporate customer requests with far greater flexibility than other yacht builders can achieve. One of the yard’s most impressive assets, however, is its furniture shop. This bustling department is responsible for building all the timber elements of a Princess yacht, including the structural pieces, bulkheads, sidelinings and headlinings. And whether fixed or freestanding, it also builds the furniture from scratch, enabling it to optimise continuity throughout each yacht by using timber of precisely the same grain texture, pattern and colour. As Paul Bailey, Commercial and Technical Manager at Princess Motor Yacht Sales, points out: “This stuff is not sourced off the shelf at the same impersonal third-party plant that other manufacturers might use. It’s designed and built by Princess’s own craftsmen, so whether a customer chooses to spec up his boat or buy the ‘standard’ package, a Princess yacht will always have the feeling of something special; something unique; something much more artisan and bespoke than you might experience from other builders.”

Creating a culture of quality One of the key drivers behind Princess’s fastidious approach is the Chairman, Anthony Sheriff. Having come from an automotive background, he invested heavily in a quality management system based around a process known as ‘No Fault Forward’. This involved rooting out any faults early on in the build process, so they could be remedied before the issue was passed forward onto subsequent production stages. Its effective integration would require a very structured and transparent approach to problem solving, so he established a dedicated Quality Control Division that has since grown from six people to around 30. The idea behind this investment was to transform ‘quality’ from a formal manufacturing protocol into a culturally ingrained attitude inhabited by everyone at Princess Yachts – and to help achieve that, the quality division is involved throughout the entire process, from the moment a build begins right through to a yacht’s entry to market. The division’s personnel go out on the boats themselves; they talk to the test engineers and the boat management professionals; they do everything they can to understand the customer experience because getting things completely right is the means by which Princess aims to differentiate itself from the competition. The team have an inspiring approach to the yacht design, the most striking exponents being the company’s full-scale mock-ups. To ensure that a new design works properly, the entire boat is built from plywood in exhaustive detail, enabling the designers to step on board and examine it first-hand – to explore head heights, door openings, spatial arrangements and furniture; to think about materials and real human usability.  It enables them to inhabit the space and get a genuine feel for it in a way that a 3D CAD drawing can never achieve. Things can then be tweaked before the final design is put into production and while it does of course involve a highly skilled and labour-intensive process, its value in terms of the end product is fundamental to what Princess does.

Equipping the customer Princess makes a point of encouraging customers to come to its Plymouth headquarters and witness first-hand how its boats are put together. It urges them to take an active role partly because it is proud of its standards and partly because a customer who is properly equipped to collaborate in the detailing of his yacht is likely to end up with something much better tailored to his needs. To that end, Princess has a team of designers dedicated solely to helping customers navigate their way through the options and select the choices that will be of greatest benefit to their favoured cross-section of boating activities. The company’s fastidious in-house approach has an impact on the long-term quality of the ownership experience in other ways too. For instance, in addition to safeguarding the standard of each finished yacht with exhaustive sea trials encompassing more than 3,000 checks, every part of the build process is archived and traceable. That enables the yard to examine original engineering diagrams for each yacht and to identify the ‘who, how and when’ of every individual element. It can then leverage its distributor network to provide bespoke support for a customer’s yacht throughout its lifetime, even after that yacht is sold on to new owners. As the industry’s appetite for international third party construction plants continues to gather traction, that degree of care, accountability and control looks set to become even more special than it is today.

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The Design Story behind the Princess S72

• By Princess Yachts
• August 8, 2023

The 72-foot motor yacht takes its inspiration from the Y72 but follows the distinct personality seen on Princess’ sporty S Class range: powerful and precise – yet timelessly elegant and sophisticated, blending iconic design, exceptional engineering and unrivalled craftsmanship. “The Princess design team wanted to guarantee that there was no compromise in the new variant due to the fact that it’s built on the same platform as the Y72. In contrast to the Y class where it focuses on big interior, air-conditioned volume and a huge flybridge deck, the S class sees a little bit of reduced space up on the flybridge which gives it a sportier look and feel” says Andy Lawrence, Design Director at Princess Yachts. “We’ve also moved the patio door forwards about a metre and a half, and what that does is reduces the size of the interior upper accommodation volume and gives that space back to the cockpit deck area.”

Designing a new yacht is a lengthy process, with the concept phase alone taking three to four months on average. The first phase purely focuses on the philosophies behind the exterior of the new product. The process involves acquiring a 2D general arrangement from naval architects Olesinski, which is then refined by the Princess Design Studio with a key focus on styling. The team then work around ensuring all of the engineering works adequately, before moving onto creating a 3D model from the 2D design. This is where an emphasis on the style is considered, with concentration on how each element will flow into another, and how the proportions are looking.

Killian Scott, Lead Visualisation Designer at Princess Yachts, describes the vision for the S72 to be focused on proportion, visual weight, and maximising interior space.

“We have used automotive language throughout the design process as a main influence so that everything feels connected and streamlined.”

Following the initial phases, a range of images are rendered to be reviewed by Antony Sheriff, Executive Chairman and CEO of Princess Yachts. This is the stage at which any design alterations and improvements are highlighted and implemented moving forwards.

“The final CGIs of a new boat are always how the concept team want it to look as they are our final deliverable,” explains Scott, “overall, I think the concept of the S72 and the finished boat look identical. I think the whole design team have done really well.”

The design of the S72 is focused on ensuring people feel closer to the water via the expansive cockpit space and bathing platform, with easy access down into the water. Andy Lawrence describes the layout of the boat to be crafted around the aim to get people outside and make sure everyone is together. “Even when you are inside you should feel like you are connected to the cockpit area so no one is isolated. At the back of the boat, we have a huge sun pad, big U-shaped seating with configurable seat modules within the cockpit so it’s very versatile. We have a window that opens up and a patio door that folds right back so you can talk across the galley bar to your guests. Inside the boat there are huge windows, very few mullions and a big sliding roof getting lots and lots of lighting into the boat.”

Once the final design process has been approved, and plans are finalised, the build stage begins at Princess’ major mould workshop at their main Coypool feeder site. Coypool houses all the components which are built and stored before being transported to Princess’ five other manufacturing sites around Plymouth. This unique site gives Princess the ability to have further control over the design and quality of their boats and be more bespoke to their customers; this sets Princess Yachts apart from other manufacturers in the industry.

Once the hull and canopy are moulded, each slot of the S72 is transported to Newport Street where interior fit out begins and the build process continues. Members of the team working on the Y72 line are brought over to the S72, transferring their basic knowledge of the Y and adapting it to the S variant, thus ensuring a smoother build process. After years of meticulous design and a thorough build, slot one of S72 progressed with few complications and hit the water at the beginning of 2023 in preparation for her launch.

The World Premiere of the S72 took place at boot Düsseldorf where it became one of the stars of the show through its dramatic unveiling. “The reception of the S72 has been fantastic” says Antony Sheriff, “it was designed to be a boat that had the beauty and the emotion of the first sketches. It’s not really until you see the boat finished with all the details, that you get the idea of the stunning sculptural beauty that she has. We’re very proud of our craftsmanship and we’re proud of the team of 3,200 people in Plymouth to see the boat completely finished with all the details. The first reaction was, ‘she looks just like that first sketch’ and so we’re really pleased with that.”

“We are absolutely delighted with the success of the S72” reveals Andy Lawrence. “It has been a product that we have had a lot of feedback on, a lot of people are really crying out for this boat since the departure of the original S72 some years ago which was actually the product which created the S class method for Princess. There has been a real gap in the market that we are filling with this boat and we are very excited about it.”

Andy sums up the S class as a slightly more emotional purchase compared to the other classes in the Princess range, with major consideration on the style and feel of the boat.

“It’s about being close to the water. The connectivity with the saloon, the galley, the cockpit and the platform space create a big family environment. On the S72, she offers the MAN 1800 engines so that gets her up to 34 to 36 knots really quite comfortably, and ultimately it’s about getting out there to the Bahamas before anybody else.”

Discover more about the Princess S72 here:   princessyachts.com

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Comparing the superyacht models leading the Princess fleet

Perhaps traditionally known for its sub-24-metre boats, British builder Princess Yachts has established itself in the luxury superyacht scene with striking yachts in its M Class series. But it was when Princess first unveiled a completely new design concept with the X Class and the X95 that the Plymouth builder truly created a stir within the 24-metre-plus segment.

The design of X95 was not just a departure from anything previously created by the British yard, it also allowed for volumes you might find on a 35-metre yacht – although it remained under the flag classification rules at 29 metres. 

Today, the X95 is joined by her sibling the Y95. Yet while the 29.1-metre yachts use the same hull structure and engineering platform, the layouts are dramatically different. The Y95, typified by a beautiful, but traditional raised-pilothouse design, has an open flybridge and hence plenty of exterior space. The X95, on the other hand, has been marketed as a "space age"-styled yacht with an enclosed flybridge and a single enclosed helm.

With that in mind, it can be hard to know which of the models is the right one for you. Will it be an open or enclosed flybridge? Will it be a master suite on the main deck or an open-plan "country kitchen"? An enclosed skylounge or more exterior space? BOAT   unpacks the defining features behind the builder's iconic superyacht range.

The X95 "Super Flybridge" and the Y95 open bridge

The key difference between the X95 Vista and Y95 is the flybridge. On the Y95, there is an open flybridge area featuring a flybridge helm and a raised pilot house. This differs from the X95 Vista, which has an enclosed flybridge and a single enclosed helm, freeing up space to allow the flybridge and main deck interior to cover almost the full length of the yacht. This creates the X Class's defining characteristic: the "Super Flybridge". This layout design provides 10 per cent more outdoor space and 40 per cent more indoor space than a traditional motor yacht, making the X95 Vista perfect for those who wish to spend extended time on board and voyage further afield.

Meanwhile, architectural innovations on the Y95 create a vast, asymmetric flybridge layout. To starboard you will find the upper helm with twin helm seats, while a forward-facing L-shaped seating area is to port. Aft of this, she offers a large deck area for free-standing furniture and a dining table that seats 10 along with a fully equipped bar with twin barbecue, hob, drawer refrigerator and a large pop-up outdoor TV.

Guests can enjoy superyacht space on the X95 Vista's main deck with a line of sight, on the standard configuration, through the forward windows and new open bow design which provides panoramic views. Accessed via an internal staircase, the upper deck is where the magic happens: the fully enclosed and climate-controlled sky lounge is the perfect place to soak up sea views while being sheltered from the elements. Outdoor dining and seating can be found on the aft section of the X95 Vista together with a second sundeck forward where a large seating area and sunpad or optional spa bath is situated.

Owners who opt for the X Class can choose between a main deck master suite or an open-plan "country kitchen". If this is the case, the full-beam master can be located on the lower deck, complemented by a forward stateroom with a walk-in wardrobe and ensuite bathroom. Further port and starboard guest cabins can also be found on the lower deck, all on a single level which helps to make the lower deck feel enormous.

On the Y95, the full-beam master suite is found on the main deck and bathes in natural light thanks to the addition of skylights. Below deck, four further beautifully appointed ensuite cabins host guests, whilst crew accommodation is situated aft of the machinery space and includes an ensuite captain’s cabin and bunk cabin. Numerous interior configurations are possible thanks to its innovative interior layout and increased volume afforded by the new hull design.

Owners also have the choice of a beach club on both models or a dedicated garage that provides storage for a Sea-Doo Spark (or equivalent), plus numerous other water toys.

Form and function

Speaking about the company's strategy, Princess Yachts' sales director, Simon Colebrooke, explains: “The X95 was designed to appeal to a whole new generation of Princess owners and to those that might want to extend their stays on board, such is the space the layout generates. The Y95 builds on the best attributes of the X Class, appealing to our heartland, with a strong focus on elegant design and modern boating life. The Y95’s design is a classic example of form and function that beautifully come together to create our largest Y Class yacht.”

The Y95 offers spacious outdoor living spaces that are comparable to larger yachts and an interior more aligned with Princess Yachts' M Class boats. Thanks to side door access on the flybridge, the yacht feels more spacious than a typical 30-metre. It also provides guests with a simple transition to the foredeck area, the perfect place for soaking up the sun's rays.

Having an enclosed skybridge on the X95 Vista affords different benefits – including the enclosed and climate-controlled sky lounge on the X95 Vista, suitable for different weather conditions. Recently redesigned to align with Princess’ latest exterior styling, the X95 Vista also features a new single-piece hull window that stretches the length of her profile.

Also enhancing her exterior design is the redesigned bow structure, which has been opened up. Guests can now enjoy panoramic views from the forward windows of the main deck or from the sanctuary of the foredeck seating area, which provides the perfect haven to sit and take in the surroundings.

Powered by twin MAN V12-2000 engines, both models can reach top speeds of up to 23 knots.

For more information about the Y95 and X95 yachts, contact Princess Yachts today.

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50 years of Princess History: The key models

tisdag 16 juni 2015

Here, we take a look back at the last 50 years of Princess history, from the 60s to now.

1960’s – Project 31

Genesis for Princess Yachts – the story began in 1965 in a rented shed in Newport Street. Three men looking to enter the charter business but with a dearth of funding bought a hull and deck mould from Senior Marine and began fitting it out. The charter business never got off the ground but the completed boat sold quickly. Realising they could be on to something they decided to build another and Marine Projects, one of the most prolific boat building companies in Europe, was born. Available initially with twin Perkins four cylinder diesels, later boats sported Volvo Penta diesel engines – in all cases mated to sterndrive propulsion. Updated in 1969, the Project 31 became the very first Princess, the Princess 32. Successful from the very beginning, over 600 boats were built.

1970’s – Princess 37

With the Princess 32 selling well and the range augmented by a smaller model (the Pilgrim 25 which became the Princess 25) it was time to begin the unstoppable drive up market. Designed by John Bennett and launched at the London Boat Show in 1974 it was one of the largest boats in the Earls Court exhibition hall and immediately set the tone for the direction of the company. It was one of the first Princess yachts to feature a flying bridge (as it was then known – now commonly shortened to ‘flybridge’). And it introduced shaft drive and an enclosed deck saloon for the first time on a Princess, and featured two cabins and two heads. Initially launched with Thornycroft and then Ford Mermaid 120hp diesels, demand for greater performance lead to a second hull profile, the original ‘Y’ hull sporting a small keel for low speed directional stability and a ‘V’ hull without the keel capable of supporting twin engines of up to 210hp.

LOA: 37ft 1in (11.27m) Built: 1973 – 1981 Typical engines: Twin Ford Mermaid 180hp diesel

1980’s – Princess 30DS

In 1980 Marine Projects was approached by a naval architect called Bernard Olesinski with plans for a thirty foot cruiser. With the successful but ageing Princess 32 due for replacement, the design was accepted and the Princess 30DS launched at Southampton Boat Show in 1980. DS stood for deck saloon, and the 30DS replaced the 32 in the range. Rather than the open backed wheelhouse of the 32, the 30DS had an enclosed deck saloon (hence the ‘DS’ of its nomenclature) with a sliding roof section, although there was a less popular open backed wheelhouse version called the 30S. Available with single or twin shaft drive or sterndrive engine installations the boat was built with everything from a single 60hp for river use up to twin 200hp diesels or 210hp petrols which lifted the top speed past 30 knots. A flybridge version was added in 1986, further broadening the options. Not only did the 30DS prove a worthy successor to the 32 over its decade in production, but the collaboration with Bernard Olesinski extended to the design of every Princess since.

LOA: 31ft 6in (9.59m) Built: 1980 – 1989 Typical engines: Twin Volvo Penta AQ151 146hp petrol

Princess 45

By the early eighties the largest Princess yachts had barely passed forty feet, but Princess commissioned Bernard Olesinski to design a flagship mid forty foot flybridge yacht. When it was launched in 1982 it was the largest production motor yacht built in the UK and it propelled Marine Projects into the big league. The Princess 37 had had some export success in Northern Europe but the 45 opened up the Mediterranean, proving popular with UK buyers that boat abroad as well as attracting foreign custom. The initial build rate of one boat a month was quickly revised, the 45 selling at triple the anticipated rate. Not just a modern and spacious design, the 45 was a phenomenal sea boat, widely lauded by the maritime press. At the time Managing Director David King reputedly stated that he thought the 45 would be the largest model Marine Projects would ever produce. Today the smallest flybridge Princess is slightly longer…

Princess 286 Riviera

With a successful range of flybridge and deck saloon models firmly established, the early eighties saw fresh markets sought, in particular the open cockpit sportscruiser sector, and in 1983 the 286 Riviera was launched. With its raked screen, flat foredeck and sporty GRP radar arch it was at the cutting edge of eighties sportscruiser design, but luxury and practicality had certainly not been forgotten. A massive eleven foot beam created plenty of space below decks for a generous dinette forward, an L-shaped galley opposite the heads and a separate mid cabin aft with a double berth that ran transversely beneath the cockpit. Motive power came via a range of twin petrol engines ranging up to V8 5.0 litre AQ211 motors delivering 210hp each for a top speed in excess of 35 knots. Twin diesel engines of 130hp and 200hp were also available. The 286 Riviera became the forerunner of a range of Princess Riviera cruisers that spanned twenty six to forty six feet.

1990’s – Princess V Class, V39/V40/V42

Unveiled in 1994 it looked sensational, but the big news – literally – was inside. Those high topsides created phenomenal internal volume – over six feet of headroom, two cabins and a huge heads proved beyond doubt that the days of compromised sportscruiser accommodation were over whilst a new breed of Volvo Penta KAD 42 diesel engines lifted the performance past thirty knots – neatly demonstrating that you could indeed have your proverbial cake and eat it. Mild facelifts took the V39 through V40 and V42 iterations that spanned fifteen years and 500 boats, making this the most popular vessel in Princess history. So far…

1997 – Princess 20M

Whilst the V39 was taking the lower end of the market by storm, the inexorable rise upmarket continued unabated and in 1996 the very first ‘Metre’ yacht was announced. Distinctive oval saloon windows, a funnel style radar mast rather than the usual goalpost arch and ‘superyacht’ high gloss joinery marked the 20M out as something really special, even by Princess standards. Powered by twin MAN diesels of between 800hp and 1,360hp it was clear that performance had not been lost in the pursuit of luxury.

LOA: 71ft 4in (21.74m) Built: 1996 – 2002 Typical engines: Twin MAN D2848 1,360hp diesel

2000’s – Princess 42

The new millennium brought a new name for the business and Marine Projects (Plymouth) Ltd became Princess Yachts International Plc. But despite the change of name and the successful expansion into new markets the commitment to intrinsic values remained the same and in 2003 the Princess 42 was born. Able to trace its roots back to that first flybridge craft of thirty years earlier, the 42 was a two cabin two heads family flybridge cruiser with twin shaft drive diesels engines just like the Princess 37. But whilst the format might be familiar, the execution was very different. The first true production line assembly, the 42 was built in stages as the boat moved down a line, emerging at the rate of one a week. Styling was bang up to date too, being one of the first boats to feature flush glazing and a new style of sweptback radar arch whilst inside contemporary high gloss cherry woodwork surrounded the very latest innovations like the soft touch non reflective helm.

LOA: 44ft 3in (13.48m) Built: 2003 – 2013 Typical engines: Twin Volvo Penta D6-435 435hp diesel

2010’s – Princess V48

Nearly fifty years in and the multi award winning Princess V48 proves that the innovation and far sightedness that has stood the company in such good stead remains a core philosophy. IPS pod drives, resin infusion construction, a choice of superstructure and cockpit layouts (deck saloon and ‘Open’) and a full beam full headroom master cabin place the V48 at the very cutting edge of current technology and thinking.

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VIKING SPORT CRUISERS Distributors of Princess Luxury Motor Yachts in the United States, Canada, Central America and Caribbean News & Events Models V Class Flybridge M Class Company In the early 1990s, Tom Carroll, now President and CEO of Viking Sport Cruisers, frequently traveled to Europe to explore new opportunities as Executive Vice President of Viking Yacht Company.  On one of his trips to the Cannes boat show, Tom was intrigued by an impressive line of motor yachts built by a company named Marine Projects (Marine Projects would later become Princess Yachts International).  Taken with the quality, style, and design concept of the Princess Yachts he saw, it wasn’t long before Tom had met with the company principals and was invited to tour their manufacturing facilities in Plymouth, England.  During his time spent in Plymouth, Tom discovered many similarities between this European company and Viking.  Managed since its inception by founder David King, Marine Projects was a vertically integrated company that manufactured a majority of components in house and had a hands-on approach to design and manufacturing.  Yet, it was a ride in the less than friendly waters of the English Channel that proved to be the convincing factor for Tom that these boats had a future in America if the right partnership could be created.  In 1995, the exclusive relationship between Viking and Princess Yachts International of Plymouth, England was forged and Viking Sport Cruisers was founded with the goal of bringing this exceptional class of luxury cruising yachts to the American market.  Yachts sold as part of this unique strategic alliance carried the Viking Sport Cruisers brand, which was done initially to reinforce that the product was backed by the same solid foundation of customer service and attention to detail for which the Viking Yacht Company had come to be known.  Beyond the brand, both Viking and Princess recognized early on that significant changes to design, engineering, systems, and even interior décor were needed to develop a yacht that would appeal to the American market.  This meant redesigning interiors with more spacious accommodations.  Appliances that carried a brand recognized for service and quality in America were shipped to Plymouth for installation on yachts in build.  Interior decorators were hired to create an ambiance that American buyers would favor.  Refrigeration was increased to accommodate extended cruising and air conditioning and generator system specifications were upgraded to counter the hotter climates of Florida and the Caribbean.  Engine rooms were reconfigured to accept more horsepower to satisfy the performance requirements and speeds expected in what was becoming an emerging market for European styled cruising yachts in America.  Electrical systems were designed from the ground up for 120/240V 60 Hz service to ensure each yacht could handle the increased loads required for safe operation of all systems and components installed on board.  A lot has changed since the first yacht built for Viking Sport Cruisers was produced in 1996.  Models that have been introduced since then have not been simply redesigned or modified to meet the needs of the American market, rather, they have been designed from the start to incorporate the wants and desires of our growing customer base.  Princess Yachts International has continued to make significant investments in new facilities, engineering, design, materials, and production techniques in order to continue to improve quality and consistency in each yacht they produce while allowing new models to be introduced to the market more frequently.  This continual reinvestment has helped Princess develop a solid companywide infrastructure, expanding capabilities to build a worldwide reputation firmly founded on quality, craftsmanship, and technological advancement with an unparalleled focus on efficiency to deliver remarkable value in every yacht produced.  In 2008, Princess became part of the exquisite LVMH family of luxury brands, which includes over 60 of the world’s pinnacle companies best known for uncompromising quality. Some of these brands include Louis Vuitton, De Beers, Fendi, Moet Hennessy, and the Feadship Yacht brand acquired by LVMH later in 2008.  In addition, the introduction in 2009 of the M Class range of yachts with initial offerings in the 32 meter (105’) and 40 meter (130’) range moved Princess into a new market with world-renowned super yacht builders.  In 2010, Viking Sport Cruisers and Princess Yachts International announced that, beginning with the 2011 model year, yachts built for North America, Central America, and the Caribbean would be branded as Princess, with Viking Sport Cruisers continuing as the sole distributor for these markets and providing the critical sales and service support for customers through its extensive network of dealers while maintaining the same high level of spare parts inventory in its New Gretna, New Jersey facility.  This decision was made with a mutual recognition of the benefits of both companies working together to build a global brand, while acknowledging the foundation of success of Viking Sport Cruisers in its approach to unparalleled support behind the product.  Today, Viking Sport Cruisers brings The Viking Difference to every Princess yacht sold, delivered, and serviced in North America, Central America, and the Caribbean.  As we look forward to the future and continue to grow our Princess family in these markets, we remain focused on our goal of delivering The Viking Difference by providing quality support when needed to enhance the value of the yacht ownership experience to our customers.  By SuperyachtNews 31 May 2019 A record year for Princess Yachts The british superyacht-manufacturing stalwart has announced record breaking financial results, a strong order book and a thriving apprenticeship scheme…. Princess Yachts has today announced record financial results, plus new records for yacht sales and employment at its Plymouth headquarters. The 2018 results signal the British manufacturer’s most successful year in its illustrious 54-year history. Financial results for the year ending 31 December 2018 show turnover of £340.3m (up £65m/24 per cent on 2017) and record opening project before exceptionals of £29.8m (up £10.9/173 per cent). EBITDA for 2018 was £32.8m up from £14.9m in 2017. “I am really proud of what the Princess team has achieved in 2018. Their focus and dedication enabled Princess to build on the previous two years of solid financial figures and beat 2017’s record results,” comments Antony Sheriff, executive chairman of Princess Yachts. “The team launched six stunning new luxury yachts while growing revenues to over one third of a billion pounds.” In 2018 Princess hit a record high for employment of 3,200. Recruitment has taken place across the business from engineering to exterior design, manufacturing to management, making Princess one of the UK’s largest specialist manufacturers. Princess also increased investment in is successful apprenticeship programme with 40 new apprentices brought into the business; apprentices now make up four per cent of the workforce with a 100 per cent retention rate following qualification. Traditionally, the superyacht industry has been poor at educating governments and investors at quite how effective it can be as an employer and economic contributor. The success of Princess business model and its flourishing apprenticeship scheme is a testament to how the superyacht community can contribute to the wider community. “These strong financial figures will enable us to build upon our unique, highly integrated infrastructure in Plymouth and invest even more in advanced technologies, new yachts and quality levels across design and production,” continues Sheriff. “We continue to forge ahead in our vision to be not just the highest quality, most innovative and successful luxury yacht manufacturer in the world, but also a great British employer.” “It’s fantastic to see these latest figures from Princess Yachts," comments Lesley Robinson, CEO of British Marine. "The sector has recently celebrated its sixth consecutive year of growth, so it’s safe to say demand for UK manufactured luxury yachts is at an all-time high. We are proud that the UK remains an international hub for expertise and craftsmanship, particularly during uncertain economic times.” According to The Superyacht Agency, Princess Yachts has delivered an average of 3.1 vessels per year since 2011. Since 2015, however, the British superyacht-manufacturing stalwart has delivered an average of four vessels per year and, if Princess’ order book proves to be accurate, the yard will have its most prolific year to date in 2019 with eight vessels scheduled for delivery. Profile links Princess Yachts Join the discussion To post comments please Sign in or Register When commenting please follow our house rules Click here to become part of The Superyacht Group community, and join us in our mission to make this industry accessible to all, and prosperous for the long-term. We are offering access to the superyacht industry’s most comprehensive and longstanding archive of business-critical information, as well as a comprehensive, real-time superyacht fleet database, for just £10 per month, because we are One Industry with One Mission. Sign up here . Sign up to the SuperyachtNews Bulletin Receive unrivalled market intelligence, weekly headlines and the most relevant and insightful journalism directly to your inbox. Sign up to the SuperyachtNews Bulletin The superyachtnews app. Follow us on Media Pack Request Please select exactly what you would like to receive from us by ticking the boxes below: SuperyachtNews.com Register to comment Plymouth's Princess Yachts set for growth after being taken over by US private equity giant KPS Capital Partners takes controlling stake in Stonehouse-headquartered boat-maker and promises investment 10:00, 14 FEB 2023 Get the stories that matter to our community straight to your inbox with our Daily Newsletter We have more newsletters Princess Yachts has been taken over by a major American private equity firm in a deal which will take the Plymouth company “to the next level”. New York-headquartered KPS Capital Partners has entered into an agreement to acquire a controlling interest in Princess Yachts (Holdings) Ltd, and said the investment will accelerate the company’s growth and innovation. Existing shareholders will retain ownership in the company under the deal. Completion of the transaction is expected by the end of March. KPS runs a family of investment funds with more than US$14.4bn of assets under management. For more than 30 years it has been acquiring manufacturing businesses and its current portfolio includes component maker Autokiniton, light vehicle manufacturer AM General, Briggs and Stratton engines, battery maker C&D Technologies, and plant-based foods business Primient. Antony Sheriff, chief executive of Princess Yachts, said the deal will enable the Plymouth firm, the UK’s largest manufacturer of luxury yachts, to grow and bring out new models. He said: “We are thrilled to partner with KPS for this exciting new chapter for Princess Yachts. KPS and the Princess Yachts team are deeply committed to investing in the company’s future while continuing to further strengthen our portfolio of best-in-class motor yachts. “With a current order book nearing a record US$1bn and many model lines sold into 2025, we have never been in a stronger commercial position. Together with KPS’ tremendous track record of manufacturing excellence and investing in leading brands, we are now positioned to take Princess Yachts to the next level of industry leadership in quality and innovation. Under KPS’ ownership, we will accelerate a range of growth and operational initiatives to build upon our long and successful history.” KPS’ portfolio of companies already generates total annual revenues of about US$22bn, operates 232 manufacturing facilities in 27 countries and combined has about 53,000 employees. KPS said it creates value “almost exclusively through operational and performance improvement”. Ryan Harrison, a partner of KPS Mid-Cap Investments, said: “We are excited to make this significant investment in Princess Yachts, a leading company in the luxury global yachting industry with an iconic brand grounded in British tradition, a remarkable and growing product range, and world-wide reputation for quality and innovation. KPS’ investment will accelerate Princess’ growth trajectory and fund numerous investments for its future. We look forward to working with Princess’ existing stockholders, chief executive Antony Sheriff, the senior leadership team, and the talented employee base at Princess Yachts.” Princess Yachts was acquired by L Capital 2 FCPR, an investment group co-sponsored by LVMH (Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton) and Groupe Arnault in 2008. In January 2016, L Capital merged with Catterton to become L Catterton, now recognised as the largest global consumer-focused investment firm. Last year L Catterton hired bankers at Macquarie to find a buyer for Princess Yachts . At the time, Princess Yachts told PlymouthLive it was looking to start discussions with potential investors to provide financial support needed to build a huge new factory at its Devonport operation. In late 2021, PlymouthLive revealed Princess Yachts wants to build another factory in Plymouth’s freeport area in the South Yard so it can produce more vessels, employ more people and fulfil a US$1bn order book. The company was also undergoing a sales boost, now selling more than 300 boats annually. Want more of the news you love? Sign up to our bespoke newsletters here . Plush flats snapped up at Plymouth's Harbour Arch Quay before it's even finished The Range boss Chris Dawson to build 'mega shed' so big it can be seen from space Plymouth online retailer CMO makes redundancies Princess Yachts Most Recent Search Please fill out this field. Manage Your Subscription Give a Gift Subscription Newsletters Sweepstakes European Royal Families Princess Märtha Louise and Shaman Durek's Wedding Celebrations Are Underway in Norway! The couple was joined by Crown Prince Haakon and other royals on a pre-wedding boat trip Janine Henni is a Royals Staff Writer for PEOPLE Digital, covering modern monarchies and the world's most famous families. Like Queen Elizabeth, she loves horses and a great tiara moment. Princess Märtha Louise and Shaman Durek Verrett 's wedding festivities have kicked off in Norway. On Aug. 29, celebrations for the upcoming nuptials of King Harald and Queen Sonja 's daughter to the "6th generation shaman" from California, whose connections include celebrities like Nina Dobrev and Gwyneth Paltrow, kicked off. Princess Märtha Louise, 52, and Durek, 49, are getting married at Hotel Union in Geiranger on Saturday, Aug. 31, and they got the party started on Thursday in the coastal town of Alesund. Hello! magazine is exclusively covering the nuptials, and the outlet previously announced that the first pre-wedding event would be a welcome party with a "'sexy and cool' dress code" in the garden of Hotel 1904. The fun continued on Aug. 30 when guests boarded a boat for a trip along the Geiranger Fjord, a Unesco World Heritage Site. Photos showed the bride and groom arriving for the outing, with Märtha Louise sporting a black leather ensemble with a colorful shirt and boots while Durek opted for a brown outfit and sunglasses. Princess Märtha Louise's younger brother Crown Prince Haakon , his wife Crown Princess Mette-Marit , their 20-year-old daughter Princess Ingrid Alexandra and their 18-year-old son Prince Sverre Magnus also joined the pre-wedding celebration. Märtha Louise's family wasn't the only royal presence on the guest list. Prince Constantijn and Princess Laurentien of the Netherlands also joined the couple for day two of their wedding festivities. Hello! said that a "Latin American-themed pre-wedding party" would be held at Hotel Union that Friday. "We are incredibly happy to be able to celebrate our love in Geiranger's beautiful surroundings," Märtha Louise wrote on Instagram last year. "It means a lot to us to gather our loved ones in a place so rich in history and intense nature experiences. Geiranged is the perfect place to embrace our love." The main event, the Aug. 31 wedding ceremony, will also happen at the historic hotel, with a wedding breakfast and reception to follow. Durek previously revealed they would be married by Parish Priest Margit Lovise Holte with Reverend Michael Beckwith delivering a greeting. The wedding will have about 350 in attendance, and of her big day, Märtha Louise told Hello! magazine, "It feels amazing to be marrying Durek, and I'm so happy the day is almost here. The surroundings are gorgeous — it's one of the most beautiful places I know." She added, "Even if there are a few glitches, we can still gaze at the stunning scenery." Per Ole Hagen/Getty On Aug. 26, the Royal House of Norway confirmed which family members would attend the nuptials. The court said that King Harald and Queen Sonja, both 87, would attend the wedding in Geiranger. The announcement added that Crown Prince Haakon would attend the event with his wife and children, as would King Harald's sister, Princess Astrid. Marius Borg Høiby , Crown Princess Mette-Marit's son from a previous relationship, was not mentioned. Marius, 27, was reportedly arrested in Oslo on Aug. 4 in alleged connection to an incident involving a woman in her 20s and has since apologized in a statement to the Norwegian Broadcasting Company (NRK). "The royal family is looking forward to being guests at Princess Märtha Louise and Durek Verrett's wedding," the statement said, adding that "the royal ship Norway will be used as accommodation during the wedding," apparently referring to the Royal Yacht . The official ship is owned by the King, typically used from May through September and maintained by the Royal Norwegian Navy. It was previously reported that some Norwegian royals wouldn't join some of the wedding pictures due to exclusive arrangements with Hello! and Netflix that Princess Märtha Louise and Durek allegedly arranged. The Royal House of Norway's head of communications, Guri Varpe, previously told the NRK that the royals would refrain from being photographed and filmed by the two outlets when other press won't have access. The wedding will be Princess Märtha Louise's second marriage. She was previously married to late author and playwright Ari Behn, with whom she shares daughters Maud Angelica, 21, Leah Isadora, 19, and Emma Tallulah, 15.  The former couple wed in 2002 and announced their split in 2016, with their divorce finalized the following year. In 2019, Behn died by suicide at age 47. Following her ex's death, Märtha Louise spoke about the challenges of navigating depression. Heart Smart Convos/Instagram Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more! Princess Märtha Louise and Durek took their relationship public in May 2019 and announced their engagement in June 2022, revealing in September 2023 that they would marry in Geiranger the following August. Related Articles Relationships Norway’s Princess Martha Louise marries self-proclaimed American ‘shaman’ A princess has happily married a self-proclaimed “sixth generation shaman”, raising eyebrows in her home country. ‘No room in diary’: Albo’s wedding update New question mark over Albo’s wedding date Neighbours star reveals baby bump ‘dream’ Norwegian Princess Martha Louise married American self-proclaimed shaman Durek Verrett on Saturday, a union of two alternative therapy devotees that has raised eyebrows in Norway. Martha Louise, a 52-year-old divorcee, claims to be a clairvoyant who can speak with angels, a gift she has shared — and profited from — in books and courses. Verrett, 49 and from California, calls himself a “sixth-generation shaman” and sells pricey gold medallions that he says save lives. “I’m very spiritual, it’s just so nice to be with a person who embraces it,” Martha Louise said on Instagram after the couple announced their engagement in June of 2022. The pair tied the knot on Saturday afternoon at a hotel in the hills of Geiranger, a picturesque village on the shores of a fjord on Norway’s west coast. The ceremony took place under a white tent, concealing the party, with the couple having sold exclusive photo and video rights to the ceremony. Martha Louise wore a traditional white wedding dress and a tiara given to her by her grandfather, King Olav, on her 18th birthday, according to photos taken by Norwegian press. Durek wore a black suit with a gold cummerbund. Aside from 87-year-old King Harald and Crown Prince Haakon, who wore dark suits, the royal family was dressed in traditional Norwegian dress, called bunad, made of embroidery and wool fabrics. Festivities kicked off on Thursday with a meet-and-greet party for the more than 350 guests. According to Verrett, the nuptials are actually a renewal of the couple’s vows. The spiritual guide, who counts Hollywood celebrities Gwyneth Paltrow and Antonio Banderas among his followers, claims he was a pharaoh in a previous life and Martha Louise was his wife. The couple’s eccentricity has ruffled feathers in no-nonsense Norway, as has their disregard for science and their use of their royal ties for commercial gain. To avoid confusion over her role, Martha Louise relinquished her royal duties in November of 2022. She kept her title but agreed not to use it in her commercial endeavours. She has however violated the agreement several times since then, most recently when she and Verrett released a “wedding gin” for sale in Norway that bore her princess title on the label. “Seeing as the agreement has not been respected, it’s time to take away Martha Louise’s princess title before King Harald sees his life’s work destroyed even further,” historian and royal expert Trond Noren Isaksen wrote in an op-ed in July. The couple also angered Norwegian media by signing deals with Hello! magazine and Netflix for exclusive coverage of the wedding. Martha Louise has three daughters from her first marriage to Norwegian author Ari Behn. She is fourth in line to the Norwegian throne; her younger brother Crown Prince Haakon is due one day to succeed King Harald. Norway’s royal family has been largely spared from scandal — until recently. Martha Louise and Verrett have contributed to an erosion of public support for the monarchy, from 81 per cent in 2017 to 68 per cent, a poll by public broadcaster NRK showed this week. A recent scandal involving the 27-year-old son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit — from a relationship prior to her marriage to Crown Prince Haakon — has also contributed. Earlier this month, Marius Borg Hoiby admitted to a cocaine- and alcohol-fuelled assault on his girlfriend, and two ex-girlfriends have since come forward with similar claims. Four in 10 Norwegians said their view of the royal family had grown more negative in the past year, with many citing Martha Louise, Verrett or Hoiby as the reason, the poll showed. Martha Louise has accused the media of pursuing a witch hunt against her. But it is Verrett who has received the most criticism, labelled a “charlatan and a quack” in the press. In one of his books, he suggested that cancer was a choice, and recommended exercises to remove “imprints” from women’s vaginas left by previous sexual partners. On his website, he sells a $222 “Spirit Optimizer” medallion which he says helped him overcome Covid. While Verrett has acknowledged his beliefs may be unsettling for some, he claims he is a victim of racism. “White people write all this hate and death threats to us … because … they don’t want to see a black man in the royal family,” he said on Instagram in June 2022. More Coverage Meanwhile, King Harald — who fought for years to be allowed to marry Queen Sonja, a commoner — has said little about his future son-in-law, referring only to a “culture clash”. He has described him as “a great guy and very funny”. “We’ve agreed to disagree” on some things, the king said in November 2022. The Prime Minister has given an update on his wedding plans to his fiancee Jodie Haydon following their Valentine’s Day engagement. New speculation over the Prime Minister’s wedding plans to Jodie Haydon is suggesting that the big day may be overtaken by another major event. After years of heartbreak, former Neighbours star Olympia Valance has just announced some ‘dream’ news. SUBSCRIBE TO EMAIL   Weather Search location by ZIP code She's a norwegian princess. he's an american self-professed shaman. their wedding is this weekend. Copy Link Copy {copyShortcut} to copy Link copied! GET LOCAL BREAKING NEWS ALERTS The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. The Norwegian king’s eldest child, Princess Märtha Louise, will marry American self-professed shaman Durek Verret on Saturday in a picturesque corner of southern Norway. The wedding comes amid widespread criticism of the couple's actions and waning support for the Scandinavian royals, who have been plagued by negative reports about an unruly family member who faces preliminary domestic violence charges. Märtha Louise, 52, and Verret, who claims to be a sixth-generation shaman from California, have attracted headlines with their alternative beliefs. She is fourth in line to the Norwegian throne but said in 2022 that she’ll no longer officially represent the Norwegian royal house in order to work closer with her American fiancé. The princess — she has retained the title — has said she can talk with angels, while Verret, 49, claims that he communicates with a broad range of spirits and has a medallion which helps ward off spells and cure diseases. They became engaged in 2022. Once married, Verret will not have royal titles or official duties. In a 2019 deal, Märtha Louise and Verret agreed not to use her connection to the royal house or her title for commercial purposes. But earlier this year Märtha Louise labeled bottles of gin with her title and launched the brand in time for the wedding, defying King Harald V's directive that she should not profit from her royal status. The label was eventually changed. The couple also sold their wedding photo rights to a British celebrity magazine and the film rights to Netflix. The deals prompted protests from Norwegian media, which says it goes against local practices. The couple has often lashed out against the press while promoting themselves on social media. Meanwhile Marius Borg Høiby, the eldest son of Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit and Crown Prince Haakon's stepson, is suspected of causing bodily harm and criminal damage. He has confessed that he was intoxicated and was taking cocaine when he was briefly arrested Aug. 6 in Oslo. Borg Høiby, who is the son of Mette-Marit from a previous relationship, has no royal titles or official duties. Haakon has called it “a serious matter.” The scandal, along with the upcoming royal wedding, have seriously eroded support for the Norwegian monarchy. King Harald has remained silent about the issues. A Norwegian political party known for its anti-royalist stance is using the recent scandals to campaign for a proposal to change the Constitution and abolish the monarchy. “These cases show some of the fundamental challenges with the monarchy,” Andreas Sjalg Unneland, a lawmaker of the leftwing Socialist Left Party, told The Associated Press in reference to the royal wedding and the Borg Høiby case. “Do we have to wait for a scandal that is so big that we abolish the monarchy, or can we give it a dignified ending?” Sjalg Unneland asked, adding that the nation should hold a referendum on the issue. The proposal, expected to be tabled next month, is not likely to gain support from other lawmakers. Saturday's wedding will be officiated following the Norwegian Church’s wedding liturgy. While it is labeled a private event and no guest list has been made public, the royal household in Oslo says Harald, Queen Sonja, the heir to the throne Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit will attend. Norway’s future king and queen will be joined by their children. Borg Høiby will not attend. Sweden’s Crown Princess Victoria and her husband Prince Daniel also are reportedly attending the ceremony in Geiranger, 265 kilometers (165 miles) north of Bergen, Norway’s second-largest city. Denmark's King Frederik and his Australian-born wife Queen Mary, however, will not attend. Reality stars, media influencers and TV personalities will round out the ceremony's guests in the scenic town of Geiranger, which sits on the shores of its eponymous fjord designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Norwegian royal yacht, Norge, has anchored there, surrounded by mountains and rivers. The ship will serve as the dwelling of the king and queen, the royal household in Oslo said. Märtha Louise has three children from her previous marriage with Ari Behn, whom she divorced in 2017 after 14 years of marriage. Although she is the first child of the 87-year-old Harald, her brother, who is two years younger than her, will succeed their father as king. The Norwegian Constitution was altered in 1990 to allow the firstborn, regardless of gender, to take precedence in the line of succession. The change does not apply retroactively and Haakon remains first in line to the throne. His oldest child, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, will one day ascend the Norwegian throne. Dazio contributed from Berlin. 396 IMAGES The History of Princess Yachts Princess Yachts: history and current range Hall of fame: Top 10 greatest Princess Yachts of all time Inside Princess Yachts: How they are built and designed The History of Princess Yachts Princess Yachts: history and current range VIDEO $11.7M Princess X80 Touring 2024 Yacht Princess boats Princess S72 by YachtBuyer INSIDE the World’s Largest Presidential Mega Yacht: A US President’s Super Yacht You’ve Never Seen Princess Yachts The Most Expensive Yacht: Inside the History Supreme COMMENTS Princess Yachts Princess Yachts has 5 sites across Plymouth covering over 1.1 million square feet. [10]New Port Street: Originally just one rented shed, Princess now operates the entirety of New Port Street and has had its head office on site since 1965. Lee Mill: Collaboratively developed by Naval architect Bernard Olesinski and Marine Projects in the late 1970s. For some time Lee Mill was operated by Felix ... Princess Yachts Model History Princess Model History. A small industrial unit in Newport Street, Plymouth was the birthplace of Princess Yachts almost fifty years ago in 1965. Since then, Princess has developed into one of the most successful and sophisticated motor yacht builders in the world. Below you will see a timeline of how these magnificent models have developed ... 50 years of Princess History: The key models Here, we take a look back at the last 50 years of Princess history, from the 60s to now. 1960's - Project 31. Genesis for Princess Yachts - the story began in 1965 in a rented shed in Newport Street. Three men looking to enter the charter business but with a dearth of funding bought a hull and deck mould from Senior Marine and began ... Princess Yachts: history and current range Today the Princess Yachts collection ranges from the entry-level V39 sportscruiser to the 131ft tri-deck Princess 40M superyacht. Its yachts are built in a state-of-the-art facility, which spans more than 100,000 square metres. With more than 3,000 staff on its books, Princess Yachts is one of the biggest employers in Plymouth, but also ... Princess Yachts America A Distinctive History. In the early 1990s, Tom Carroll, now President and CEO of Princess Yachts America, frequently traveled to Europe to explore new opportunities as Executive Vice President of Viking Yacht Company. On one of his trips to the Cannes boat show, Tom was intrigued by an impressive line of motor yachts built by a company named ... The History of Princess Yachts The History of Princess Yachts began with a man named David King and two friends that started what was known as Marine Projects in 1965. Project 31 | History of Princess Yachts. The first model created was Project 31, built on the hull of Senior 31 and fitted out in a rented shed. Over 150 Project 31's were built and sold between 1966 and 1969. Hall of fame: Top 10 greatest Princess Yachts of all time Princess Yachts is the oldest of Britain's big three motor boat builders with a history that stretches back 55 years. To select the 10 most iconic Princess models from its past line-up we turned to a couple of the yard's longest-serving sales managers. Between them Bill Barrow, international sales manager for Northern Europe, and Adam Essex ... Princess Yachts 50-year history in photos To celebrate 50 years of Princess Yachts, we've been taking a look back at some of the Plymouth yard's most historic models. Princess Yachts is celebrating its 50th birthday in 2015. And to mark this major milestone we've been taking a look back at some of the company's greatest hits. The story began on Newport Street in Plymouth in 1965. Princess Yachts History of Princess Yachts. Luxury yacht builder Princess Yachts was founded as Marine Projects (Plymouth) Ltd in 1965, in a region of England known for its seafaring tradition. The first Princess GRP luxury motor yacht, featuring a flybridge, launched in 1974. What Is The Secret Behind Leading British Luxury Yacht Maker Princess Princess Yachts. Last month Princess Yachts announced record financial results. The UK's largest luxury yacht maker declared 2018 the most successful in its 54-year history. The firm saw orders ... Princess Yachts Click here to take a 360 tour of the Princess 40M and see the amazing craftsmanship of the Plymouth yacht building teams. The M Class super-yachts are constructed in one of Plymouth's most historically important areas at South Yard, which is a former naval yard dating back to the 17th century and where the city's dockyard originally began. Inside Princess Yachts: How they are built and designed It's defined by culture, process and mindset…. Keeping it in-house One of the most fundamental differences at Princess Yachts is the fact that the company designs and builds 80% of its components in-house. There's an argument that the yard's relative geographical isolation has compelled it to become self-sufficient over the years but ... Princess Yachts: Models, Price Lists & Sales The History of Princess Yachts. The world famous shipbuilding company Princess Yachts was founded in 1965 in Plymouth, the heart of British shipbuilding. The company is a leader in the construction of premium superyachts and motor yachts. The company has an extensive network of dealers and over 45 representative offices on five continents. The Design Story behind the Princess S72 The 72-foot motor yacht takes its inspiration from the Y72 but follows the distinct personality seen on Princess' sporty S Class range: powerful and precise - yet timelessly elegant and sophisticated, blending iconic design, exceptional engineering and unrivalled craftsmanship. "The Princess design team wanted to guarantee that there was ... Comparing the superyacht models leading the Princess fleet Perhaps traditionally known for its sub-24-metre boats, British builder Princess Yachts has established itself in the luxury superyacht scene with striking yachts in its M Class series. But it was when Princess first unveiled a completely new design concept with the X Class and the X95 that the Plymouth builder truly created a stir within the 24-metre-plus segment. A Look into the Different Princess Yachts Classes These progressive, highly efficient flybridge yachts maintain Princess's classic elegance while pushing boundaries in design and functionality. The F Class includes flybridge motor yachts spanning from 45 to 65 feet: F65. F58. F55. F50. F45. S Class. Find a selection of motor yachts engineered for high-speed performance. 50 years of Princess History: The key models 50 years of Princess History: The key models. Here, we take a look back at the last 50 years of Princess history, from the 60s to now. 1960's - Project 31. Genesis for Princess Yachts - the story began in 1965 in a rented shed in Newport Street. Three men looking to enter the charter business but with a dearth of funding bought a hull and ... An Inside Look at The Princess Owners Rendezvous 2021 By Katie Flanagan May 6, 2021. This past April, a fleet of Princess Yacht owners set out across the Caribbean to the 2021 Rendezvous located in Harbour Island, Bahamas. The 2021 Rendezvous had nearly 50 Princess yachts participate in the event with roughly 250 people attending. This was the largest Princess owners event to date. Princess History. Pioneering Partnership, Innovative Product A closer look at the distinctive relationship that combines over 90 years of boatbuilding experience to deliver The Viking Difference in every Princess yacht bound for North America, Central America, and the Caribbean. In the early 1990s, Tom Carroll, now President and CEO of Viking Sport ... Kingdom 5KR The yacht was built in 1980 by the yacht builder Benetti at a cost of $100 million [1] (equivalent to $370 million in 2023). Its original interior was designed by Luigi Sturchio. [2]She was originally built as Nabila for Saudi billionaire Adnan Khashoggi (named for his daughter). [3] During Khashoggi's ownership it was one of the largest yachts in the world, but as of March 2023, according to ... A record year for Princess Yachts Princess Yachts has today announced record financial results, plus new records for yacht sales and employment at its Plymouth headquarters. The 2018 results signal the British manufacturer's most successful year in its illustrious 54-year history. Financial results for the year ending 31 December 2018 show turnover of £340.3m (up £65m/24 ... Princess Yachts taken over by US private equity giant Princess Yachts was acquired by L Capital 2 FCPR, an investment group co-sponsored by LVMH (Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton) and Groupe Arnault in 2008. In January 2016, L Capital merged with ... Princess Yachts for sale Princess is a yacht builder that currently has 884 yachts for sale on YachtWorld, including 96 new vessels and 788 used yachts, listed by experienced yacht brokers and boat dealerships mainly in the following countries: United States, Spain, United Kingdom, France and Italy. Models currently listed on YachtWorld differ in size and length from ... She's a Norwegian princess. He's an American self-professed shaman The princess — she has retained the title — has said she can talk with angels, while Verret, 49, claims that he communicates with a broad range of spirits and has a medallion which helps ward off spells and cure diseases. ... The Norwegian royal yacht, Norge, has anchored there, surrounded by mountains and rivers. The ship will serve as the ... Princess Martha Louise and Shaman Durek's Wedding Celebrations Begin Princess Martha Louise of Norway and Shaman Durek Verrett's wedding festivities have started in Norway. Everything to know about the nuptials, including the festivities leading up to the Aug. 31 ... Norway's Princess Martha Louise marries self-proclaimed American 'shaman' Norwegian Princess Martha Louise married American self-proclaimed shaman Durek Verrett on Saturday, a union of two alternative therapy devotees that has raised eyebrows in Norway. She's a Norwegian princess. He's an American self-professed shaman The wedding of Princess Märtha Louise and Durek Verret comes amid widespread criticism of the couple's actions and waning support for the Scandinavian royals. ... The Norwegian royal yacht ... catamaran gulet motorboat powerboat riverboat sailboat trimaran yacht