The Duke of Edinburgh Racing Flag (Private Signal) from the Royal Yacht Bloodhound, English, mid 1960's, the cotton flag with applique design of the stylised castle on circular white disc and apple green background, 47 x 74cm (18 1/2 x 29in) Footnotes: Bloodhound is a 19.2-metre ocean racing yacht that was designed by Charles E. Nicholson and built by Camper and Nicholsons in 1936. She was acquired by the Royal Family in 1962 and Prince Philip had much success competing with her at the Cowes Week Regatta around the Isle of Wight. During Royal ownership Bloodhound would also accompany Britannia in the Western Isles where the Royal Family had their annual holiday every year. She had a permanent crew of three and one Skipper was a descendent of Sir Francis Drake. It was during these times that the young Royals learned to sail on Bloodhound and when she was not in use, the yacht and her crew were made available to yacht clubs across the country, used to teach thousands of young people how to sail. In January 2010 she was purchased by The Royal Yacht Britannia Trust. Provenance A statement from the current owner: During the 1960's, Prince Philip's yacht Bloodhound was chartered to yacht clubs, allowing members to gain experience sailing ocean-racing yachts. My father participated in one such charter in the mid 1960's with Poole Yacht Club. At the conclusion of the trip, my mother, sister and I travelled to Weymouth to collect him. That evening, the crew wished to go ashore for a meal. As maritime etiquette requires that flags be lowered at sunset, my sister and I remained onboard Bloodhound to attend to the flags in the crew's absence. Upon their return, the skipper whom I recall was named Francis Drake, presented us with brand new Prince Philip Racing Flag as a gesture of thanks for looking after the yacht. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing