meghan markle yacht photos

Inside The Royal Yacht Britannia - incredible rare photos

The royal family's yacht is now decommissioned and here's a chance to see inside.

The Royal Yacht Britannia is a hit tourist attraction in Edinburgh, but it used to be a commissioned vessel frequently used by the royal family. Many royal fans may remember it from a Netflix episode of The Crown , and the late Queen Elizabeth II was so fond of it that she even shed a tear when it was decommissioned in 1997.

Take a look inside the amazing boat that has a fascinating history, checking out everything from the late Queen's bedroom to the awe-inspiring engine room…

The Queen's bedroom

A photograph from 1998, reveals the room Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II used to sleep in. The modest-sized bed and simple in-room desk are a far cry from the grand palaces the family are used to.

The royal dining room

An archived picture shows what the boat's dining room used to look like when dressed for special dinners. There are multiple oval, wooden tables, matching wooden chairs and flowers and lamps add to the decadent atmosphere.

A lovely sun room

One of the yacht's sitting rooms has two floral sofas which wouldn't look out of place in an actual royal residence. A collection of other furniture ranges from outdoor-style chairs to antique-looking side tables.

A top deck perfect for hosting

Zara and Mike Tindall used the boat to host a pre-wedding party, and pictures from the event show many members of the royal family on the top deck enjoying conversations and drinks.

READ:  Prince William and Princess Kate reveal how many staff they actually have

The engine room

A picture inside the engine room shows the inner workings of the ship. The Herald Scotland explains that there was reportedly a doormat at the edge of the engine room to ensure it was kept in immaculate condition.

Did you know, they may not have use of the royal yacht anymore, but they still use a royal train?

The royal train has been used by the royal family since 1840, and the nine-carriage Royal Train is equipped with multiple bedrooms and bathrooms, a dining room that seats 12 people, and even an office.

SEE:  Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's bittersweet moment packing up Frogmore Cottage caught on camera

It is the source of much fascination and has previously been featured in Channel 5 documentary, Secrets of the Royal Train.

In January this year, King Charles took his first ride on it since becoming monarch, travelling from Scotland to Manchester.

Queen Elizabeth II 's last journey on the locomotive was in June 2022 when she travelled to Edinburgh . 

In 2018, the then-newlywed Duchess of Sussex   travelled on the royal train to Cheshire with Her Majesty.

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Gallery: Europe's royal families captured at sea

To mark the Queen's official birthday 2021, BOAT rounds up the most iconic images, and boats, of Europe's royal families at sea, including Prince Philip, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry and the Queen herself. 

Here, Queen Elizabeth II is seen boarding the 126m HMY Royal Yacht Britannia in 1995 to cruise around the Western Isles. Royal Yacht Britannia served as the Queen's royal yacht from 1954 until it was decommissioned in 1997. However, plans have now been announced to commission a new national flagship . 

Prince Philip

Prince Philip, the former Duke of Edinburgh, is photographed here with boat designer Uffa Fox sailing at the Cowes Regatta on board Coweslip , a Flying Fifteen keelboat that was presented to the Queen and Prince Philip as a wedding present in 1949. Prince Philip was known to go sailing frequently on Coweslip with Fox. Together, they won the Britannia Cup in 1952. The husband of Queen Elizabeth II was an avid sailor; he began his training for life at sea while studying at Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth, and from the age of 18 he joined the Royal Navy and served from 1939 until 1951. During World War II he served with distinction in the Mediterranean and Pacific Fleets. Before his death, he held the title of Lord High Admiral of the Royal Navy. 

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex

In October 2018 the Duke and Duchess of Sussex embarked on their first overseas tour as a married couple, visiting Australia, Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand. The trip was timed to coincide with the Invictus Games, which began on October 20 and of which the Duke of Sussex is a patron, and with sailing making up a key part of the event it wasn't long before the couple found themselves out on the water.

The Duchess of Cambridge

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge both spent time sailing as children and have carried this passion into their adult lives. Here, the Duchess of Cambridge is seen at the helm, competing on behalf of The Royal Foundation at the King's Cup regatta. The event was hosted by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in Cowes in 2019. 

Pierre Casiraghi

Pierre Casiraghi, son of Princess Caroline of Hanover and grandson of Princess Grace of Monaco, is seen on board of Malizia during the 36th Copa Del Rey Mafre Sailing Cup in 2017 in Palma de Mallorca, Spain.

The British, Spanish and Greek Royal Families

Who better to invite aboard your royal yacht than other royals? When King Juan Carlos of Spain invited the fellow young British and Greek royal families aboard his yacht Fortuna (now re-named Foners ) in 1990 it was a photo op not to be missed. From left to right: Queen Anne-Marie of Greece, King Constantine II of Greece, Princess Theodora of Greece, Diana, Princess of Wales, Prince Charles, King Juan Carlos of Spain, Prince William, Prince Harry, Queen Sofia of Spain, Princess Cristina of Spain and Princess Elena of Spain.

Prince Frederik of Denmark

A keen sailor, Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark is seen here with crewmate Chris Meeham competing in the Men's 35+ Tasar class sailing during day seven of the 2009 World Masters Games at Woollahra Sailing Club in Sydney, Australia.

The Dutch Royal Family

Dutch Princess Felicia, Princess Anastasia, Prince Lucas and Princess Marilene are pictured on their yacht De Groene Draeck (The Green Dragon) attending the final day of SAIL Amsterdam 2015.

Prince George

Prince George, the firstborn son of Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, is also spotted at the inaugural King’s Cup regatta alongside grandfather Michael Middleton.

King Juan Carlos

The Spanish royal family has long been known for its sailing prowess and former monarch King Juan Carlos I is no different. In 1972, Juan Carlos even competed at the Olympics in the Dragon class racing and finished in 15th place. The Spanish royal has owned a number of yachts in his lifetime including the 41.5 metre Fortuna , one of the fastest yachts in the world, which has since been renamed Foners . Here he is seen helming another of his yachts, the Judel and Vrolijk -designed sailing yacht Bribón XV .

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Meghan Markle was a picture of royalty. But beneath the photo finish, she 'didn't want to be alive'

Topic: Royalty

In the box seat at the premiere of Cirque du Soleil's Totem in January 2019. ( AFP: Paul Grover )

Wrapped in a sequin gown, the sixth in line to the British throne by her side, Meghan Markle was every bit the picture of royalty.

Surrounded by revellers at Royal Albert Hall, the royal couple's public appearance for the premier of Cirque du Soleil's Totem show was billed by the tabloids as a "glamorous date night" , as Harry and Meghan — then six-months pregnant — prepared to welcome their first child, Archie, in the spring.

But beneath the photo finish, a much darker narrative was playing out. Far from the magical evening portrayed in the headlines, Markle "didn't want to be alive" .

"One of the things that — it still haunts me — is this photograph that someone had sent me," Markle said of the event, during the couple's long-awaited tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey .

"A friend said, 'I know you don't look at pictures, but you guys look so great'."

Zooming in, she said what she "saw was the truth of what that moment was".

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'It was all happening just because I was breathing'

In a carefully curated social media post, accompanied by a photo of the happy couple, Kensington Royal — the official account of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge — confirmed the news the tabloids had been waiting for: Meghan Markle was pregnant with the couple's first child .

It was October 2018 — shortly after the pair arrived in Sydney for the start of their first official royal tour — and while the Royal family were all smiles in the press, behind the scenes, Markle said, the atmosphere was much different.

"After we had got back from our Australia tour... we talked about when things really started to turn, when I knew we weren't being protected," she said.

"It was during that part of my pregnancy especially that I started to understand what our continued reality was going to look like."

Differing from protocol, the Palace "didn't want him to be a prince", Markle said, nor would he receive security.

In tandem with those conversations, she added, were "concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when he's born" .

Pressed on whether being born "too brown" was seen as a problem within the institution, Markle said that while she "wasn't able to follow up with why... if that's the assumption you are making, that feels like a pretty safe one".

"I just didn't see a solution. I would sit up at night and I was just like I don't understand how all of this has been churned out," she said.

"Again, I wasn't seeing it, but it's almost worse when you feel it through the expression of my mum or my friends or them calling me crying, 'Meg, they are not protecting you'.

"I realised that it was all happening just because I was breathing."

It was the tipping point that compelled her to confide in her husband. "I just didn't want to be alive anymore," she said, recalling how Harry "just cradled" her.

But later that day, the couple were bound for Albert Hall.

'I was just weeping'

To royal pundits, the evening was a picture of perfection. A young couple, enjoying a "glamorous date night" — a premiere held in support of Harry's Sentebale charity — before embarking on the journey of parenthood.

But for Markle, there was no alternative: "I remember [Harry] saying, 'I don't think you can go'," she recalled. "I said, 'I can't be left alone'."

In contrast to glowing write-ups of the premiere, detailing how the couple "reached over and grabbed each other's hand" in an "adorable PDA moment", Markle said they were "smiling, doing our job, but we [were] both trying to hold on".

"Every time the lights went down in that royal box, I was just weeping," she said. "And he was gripping my hand."

Fearing for her mental health, Markle turned to the Palace's senior aides the next day for help.

But she said she was stonewalled: "They said, 'My heart goes out to you because I see how bad it is, but there's nothing we can do do protect you because you're not a paid employee of the institution'."

Despite emails "begging for help", and thoughts of suicide, she was not permitted to admit herself to hospital ("I couldn't, you know, call an Uber to the Palace," she quipped).

"When I joined that family, that was the last time until we came here that I saw my passport, my driver's licence, my keys," she said.

"All that gets turned over. I didn't see any of that anymore."

'There's a lot that's been lost already'

The Palace responded to the claims levelled by the former Duke and Duchess of Sussex on Wednesday, saying the allegations of racism were "concerning" and they would be handled by the royal family "privately".

But Prince Harry said they ultimately made the decision to leave The Firm because they felt unsupported and feared "history was repeating itself" — a reference to the death of his mother, Princess Diana.

"When you can see something happening in the same kind of way, anybody would ask for help — ask the system of which you are part of, especially when you know there is a relationship there that they could help and share some truth or call the dogs off," he said.

Prince Harry said he felt a lack of support from his family when he and Meghan were struggling with their roles. ( Chris Jackson/Pool Photo via AP )

"So, to receive no help at all, to be told continuously, 'This is how it is. This is just how it is'. We have all been through it."

Asked if she was afraid of a "backlash", Markle said she did not understand "how [the institution] could expect that after all of this time we would still just be silent".

"At a certain point you're going to go, 'You guys, someone just tell the truth'," she said.

"If that comes with risk of losing things… There's a lot that's been lost already."

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Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's Colombia Trip: All the Best Photos

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's tour abroad included salsa dancing, drumming, practicing Spanish and touring a historic village

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.

Diego Cuevas/Getty

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry took in the sights and sounds of Colombia.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped out in South America on Aug. 15, kicking off a four-day trip at the invitation of Colombian Vice President Francia Márquez. Márquez announced on Aug. 1 that Prince Harry, 39, and Meghan, 43, "kindly accepted my invitation to visit our beautiful country" and would visit the cities of Bogotá, Cartagena and Cali.

"In these vibrant locations, they will have the exceptional opportunity to engage with leaders, youth, and women who embody the aspirations and voices of Colombians committed to progress. In addition to these meaningful interactions, the Duke and Duchess will experience the rich heritage of Colombia," Márquez said. 

The vice president added that the visit would happen before the inaugural Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children in Colombia in November, noting that one of the summit's aims of making the online world a safer place aligns with the same tenet of Prince Harry and Meghan's charitable Archwell Foundation. 

The Colombia trip is focused on key aspects of the Archwell Foundation's core work, plus some of Harry and Meghan's longtime causes like the military community and female empowerment.

Scroll below for all the best photos from their visit.

Welcome to Colombia

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were welcomed to Colombia by Vice President Márquez and her husband, Rafael Yerney Pinillo, on Aug. 15. The couples convened at the vice president's residence for coffee, tea and traditional pan de bono (Colombian cheese bread) and exchanged welcome gifts.

During the meeting, Márquez told Prince Harry and Meghan that she shared their vision for championing a safer digital future and mental health landscape. The vice president also shared her admiration for Prince Harry's late mother, Princess Diana , according to Harper’s Bazaar .

A Warm Welcome

Eric Charbonneau for Archewell

In a press conference on Aug. 15, Márquez said that she was inspired to invite the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to Colombia after learning more about their story in their docuseries Harry & Meghan . The six-part series smashed streaming records on Netflix when it debuted in December 2022.

Back to School

Courtesy of the Vice President's Office

No chatting in the hallway…unless Prince Harry and Meghan are visiting! The Duke and Duchess of Sussex then headed to Colegio Cultura Popular , a charter school in Bogotá, with Márquez and Pinillo.

They participated in an Insight Session with pupils, where some of the young people opened up about how social media impacts them both positively and negatively. Meghan praised the students as "impressive, smart and savvy," while Harry asked about how they manage social media and digital literacy at home with their families.

Recess to Remember

Following the discussion, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped outside — for recess!

Smiles in the Schoolyard

The couple connected with students and teachers, posing for some photos.

Hand-in-Hand

A statement shared to the couple's sussex.com website said that the school visit "underscored the importance of nurturing young minds in a supportive environment and providing opportunities for both personal and academic growth."

"Prince Harry and Meghan were deeply moved by the students' passion and creativity and expressed their admiration for the school’s commitment to education and community enrichment," it said.

Exploring Local Arts

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex then checked out a performance at the National Centre for the Arts in Bogotá. Both Harry and Meghan changed outfits , with the Duchess of Sussex donning the colorful Navajo Weaver dress by Colombian designer Johanna Ortiz, supporting a label she's worn before.

Eye of the Jaguar

RAUL ARBOLEDA/AFP via Getty

The Duke of Sussex let out a laugh when he met an artist rocking an elaborate costume.

Meghan Grooves to the Music

Eric Charbonneau/Archewell Foundation via Getty

She's got the beat! Meghan joined Márquez in dancing towards the end of the musical performance at National Centre for the Arts.

A Cute Kiss

Prince Harry wrapped his wife in a warm embrace as they stood up from their seats at the arts center.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are known show their love for one another, which etiquette expert Myka Meir previously told PEOPLE "makes them relatable and lovable to the public."

Prince Harry and Meghan Speak Out

Juancho Torres/Anadolu via Getty

Highlighting a key theme of their trip to Colombia, Prince Harry and Meghan took the stage at Universidad EAN for a summit on a Responsible Digital Future, hosted by the Archewell Foundation in partnership with the vice president's office and Luminate. The couple stressed the urgency of prioritizing humanity and connection in today's digital landscape.

"With the Archewell Foundation, me and my wife believe that information integrity is a fundamental right," Prince Harry said in part.

Added Meghan, "We should model how we want our kids to be raised and for the world in which we raise them." The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are parents to son Prince Archie , 5, and daughter Princess Lilibet , 3.

Selfie Smiles

Prince Harry and Meghan leaned in for a picture with with Rappler co-founder and Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Ressa (who Prince Harry previously spoke with for TIME ), Márquez and Pinillo.

Education Station

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped out on Aug. 16 for the second day of their tour with a visit to the Colegio La Giraldaon school in Santa Fe. Prince Harry and Meghan made the stop to highlight the importance of social-emotional well-being in education.

Group Photo

Prince Harry and Meghan were welcomed with performances throughout the school grounds, where some students sported traditional Colombian dress and performed cumbia songs featuring live percussion.

Kindergarten Catch-Up

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex popped into a kindergarten class, where they worked on puzzles and practiced their Spanish-language skills. Prince Harry asked students their names and ages, and Meghan brought up their son, Prince Archie.

"You’re the same age as my son, Archie!" she told a student in Spanish. 

Meghan also wore some sentimental jewelry to the school — butterfly earrings that previously belonged to Princess Diana .

Working Lunch

Presidential Agency for International Cooperation of Colombia/X

Prince Harry and Meghan then moved to a private lunch hosted by Vice President Márquez, Harper's Bazaar reported.

"The intimate gathering was attended by esteemed guests including government officials and leaders of international organization and cultural sectors all across the country," the outlet said. It added that the gathering "was meant to provide a platform for meaningful dialogue to discuss critical global issues at hand, including creating safer environments for children around the world."

According to Harper's Bazaar , Prince Harry and Meghan both delivered brief remarks, with the Duchess of Sussex sharing hers entirely in Spanish. After graduating from Northwestern University, Meghan honed her Spanish language skills during an internship with the U.S. Embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and while studying abroad in Madrid, Spain.

Getting Physical

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex met with members of Colombia's Invictus Games team at the Centro de Rehabilitación Inclusiva for a training session. Prince Harry and Meghan toured the swimming pool, rock climbing wall gym and rehabilitation areas, before hearing about the athletes' favorite workout routines and how they stay strong. 

Harry hopped in to join a volleyball match with Pinillo towards the end of the visit, while Meghan and Márquez cheered them on.

Proud Patron

The Duke of Sussex, a former captain in the British Army, launched the Invictus Games as an international adaptive sports tournament for wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans in 2014. Colombia became the first South American nation to send a delegation to the  sixth edition of the competition in Düsseldorf, Germany, in September 2023. 

Feeling the Beat

In Cartagena on Aug. 17, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex visited Escuela Tambores de Cabildo, a local drum school working to preserve the art form of traditional African drumming.

Founder Rafael Ramos said, "I love seeing Meghan’s big, big smile. I can tell she’s excited!"

Historic Tour

Meghan and Prince Harry continued the third day of their trip in San Basilio de Palenque , which was established as the first free African town in the Americas in 1619.

The couple greeted everyone both in Spanish and in the town’s indigenous language of Palenquero. Meghan expressed she was "so honored" to visit San Basilio de Palenque, noting the community’s “incredible history," while Harry described it as an "incredibly moving experience."

Empowering Women

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrived in the city of Cali on Aug. 18, where they attended a discussion focused on highlighting and uplifting Afro-Colombian women. 

Meghan Takes the Stage

Meghan took the stage during a panel, removing her earpiece and speaking Spanish to the crowd . According to  Sussex.com , the Duchess of Sussex expressed "her deep appreciation for the Colombian hospitality. She praised the culture and history of the country, describing the visit as a dream and highlighting the strong sense of community she felt."

After wrapping her introduction in Colombia's official language, she jokingly mimed wiping sweat from her forehead as the crowd applauded before switching to English.

Women Helping Women

Gabriel Aponte/Getty

During the panel, Meghan walked to the side of the stage so she could adjust a fan to face the panelists .

Colombian Vice President Francia Márquez, who was on stage with Meghan, started applauding and the other panelists laughed as they realized what she was doing.

As she returned to her seat, Meghan said in Spanish, "Women helping women."

Salsa Lesson

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex displayed their salsa dancing skills at the Unidad Recreativa El Vallado on Aug. 19 during an afternoon with young people from the city of Cali. Prince Harry twirled Meghan around the dance floor, and they also took turns dancing with other partners during the event.

Partner Swap

The city of Cali is known as the world capital of salsa, according to Colombia's  tourism website .

A Quick Kiss

Between dancing, Meghan and Harry snuck in a quick kiss .

A Final Thank You

Eric Charbonneau/Archewell Foundation via Getty Images

The couple took the stage at the Petronio Music Festival in Cali , celebrating Afro-Colombian music and dance, for their final event of the tour. Meghan told the crowd, "Your country is so beautiful!” and translated her husband's remarks from English to Spanish for the audience.

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Meghan's birthday video inadvertently references Jack Brooksbank's yacht party photos

By Jo Abi | 3 years ago

A video posted by Meghan Markle announcing a new initiative for her 40th birthday has inadvertently referenced Jack Brooksbank's recent Capri yacht party, during which paparazzi photographed him with models wearing swimsuits.

Meghan's video was most likely filmed well before the photos in question surfaced, but the moment is awkward none the less.

In the video, the Duchess of Sussex is joined by Melissa McCarthy. The pair go back and forth as Meghan, 40, attempts to explain her initiative to the actress, 50, who continues to interject with ideas of her own.

RELATED: Meghan Markle announces new initiative on her 40th birthday

McCarthy's ideas include a Suits reunion and getting matching tattoos, then she suggests, "Yacht party! Yacht party!" at which point Meghan closes her eyes and shakes her head, looking off camera and laughing.

"Who's ready for a yacht party?" McCarthy continues, donning a sunhat and sunglasses.

The photos of Brooksbank, the husband of Princess Eugenie, were published in the UK media earlier this week and Meghan's video was most likely filmed well before the photos in question surfaced.

Sarah Ferguson spoke out in defence of her son-in-law during her appearance on BBC's The One Show.

"Jack, who was on the front page, is such a man of integrity. He's just one of my most favourite people," Ferguson said of the photos.

"I call him James Bond, actually. He's just a superhero in my book, and he's a great father, a fabulous husband, and he's never at front of house, he always likes to be at the back."

She said the photos in question were used to "completely fabricate" a story.

"So for them to make this story is completely fabricated, he works as an ambassador for [tequila company] Casamigos, and he was doing his job, and so I think it's really important that we clarify that for Jack's sake."

RELATED: Sarah Ferguson defends son-in-law Jack Brooksbank after yacht photos surface

At the time of the yacht party, wife Princess Eugenie was at home at Frogmore Cottage in Windsor caring for the couple's son August, six months.

Meghan was eventually able to explain her initiative in the video which is called 40x40.

"I believe mentorship is one way to help women regain confidence and rebuild their economic strength, and for my birthday, I have asked 40 friends, activists, athletes, artists, and world leaders to help kickoff a global effort by contributing 40 minutes of mentorship to support women re-entering the workforce," the duchess wrote on the Archewell website.

"If you are able, please join us and pledge 40 minutes today in service of others in the way that feels right to you.

"The time that you donate can contribute to a global wave of service and set in motion meaningful impact in our own communities, and across the world."

• Meghan Markle
• Jack Brooksbank
• Sarah Ferguson
• Princess Eugenie

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Celebrities Accused Of 'Yachting' In Hollywood — And What Being A 'Yacht Girl' Really Means

Rumors suggest some women are paid to play..

• Micki Spollen

Written on Jan 11, 2022

It’s easy to be envious when seeing the Instagram photos of young, carefree celebrity women seemingly having the time of their lives on yachts floating in exotic waters and in the VIP sections of the most exclusive clubs.

However, rumor has it there is much more than meets the eye when it comes to these ‘yacht girls’ and their extravagant lifestyles.

What is a yacht girl?

According to Urban Dictionary , a yacht girl is “an attractive young woman who finds ways to get access to luxurious surroundings by being available to wealthy men.”

For example, you may follow a woman or two on Instagram who always seems to be partying or vacationing somewhere expensive (notably without ever showing who she’s actually with). This is a person you could potentially describe as being a yacht girl.

And it’s not just those Instagram models and wannabe stars that are considered yacht girls. As you work up the wealth chain, you may be surprised to recognize some celebrity names synonymous with yachting.

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What is 'yachting' in Hollywood?

In Hollywood, the term yacht girl essentially means a woman who works as an escort for high-end clientele , not just on yachts but for any social event.

While the practice has only somewhat recently gained mainstream notoriety, if you think back on the many tabloid photos of models and actresses on yachts from years past, it appears to be something that's gone on in Hollywood “for 60 years,” according to Elie Nahas, who ran a Beirut-based modeling agency before being arrested on charges of running a prostitution ring in 2007.

In 2013, "The Hollywood Reporter" ran a feature describing this so-called yachting during the Cannes Film Festival.

“Every year during the festival there are 30 or 40 luxury yachts in the bay at Cannes, and every boat belongs to a very rich person. Every boat has about 10 girls on it; they are usually models, and they are usually nude or half nude,” Nahas told THR.

At the end of the night, each woman would receive a “gift,” a generous amount of money that the client would put in an envelope for her.

And while many of these women were self-proclaimed local prostitutes and escorts, the Cannes Film Festival is, of course, known for its celebrity attendees — and it’s rumored that celebrity women trying to fast-track a name for themselves in Hollywood become yacht girls, too.

“Women installed on yachts in Cannes during the film festival are called ‘yacht girls,’ and the line between professional prostitutes and B- or C-list Hollywood actresses and models who accept payment for sex with rich older men is sometimes very blurred, explains one film industry veteran,” Dana Kennedy wrote for THR.

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Some women in Hollywood have accused their celebrity peers of being yacht girls.

A 2017 blind item (celebrity gossip that doesn’t outwardly name the celebrity) allegedly written by a struggling actress describes being lured by another actress into the world of yachting :

“The actress I was talking to made it sound super easy and that she only had [sex] a few times with guys while yachting and that it was mostly partying and being arm candy,” she writes, explaining that eventually she agreed to try it for $25,000 upfront, but admitting that the experience was less than glamorous.

Blind item readers guessed that Canadian actress Vanessa Lengies wrote the blind item and further surmised that it may be one of the Glee actresses Naya Rivera or Heather Morris that introduced her to yachting. None of these claims have ever been substantiated.

If you believe the rumors, it would seem that yachting is a rite of passage for women hoping to “make it” in Hollywood, and even some celebrities we now consider A-List are thought to be former yacht girls.

In an excerpt from her 2021 memoir , “My Body,” Emily Ratajkowski details being paid $25,000 at the start of her career to go to the Superbowl with now-disgraced Malaysian financier Jho Low, who "‘just liked to have famous men and women around,’” she explains her manager told her at the time.

She writes about attending the star-studded Coachella on someone else’s dime, having drinks paid for at clubs, and attending afterparties with Oscar-winning actors before actually becoming a celebrity herself.

One could infer from this recollection that, in order to be able to tell these stories, Ratajkowski was herself a yacht girl. “My Body” suggests as much, and in it, she subtly gives away the identity of another celebrity woman who yachted alongside her.

Ratajkowski describes watching as Low gave shots to a Victoria’s Secret model. While she doesn’t name drop, Ratajkowski gives just enough information for readers to figure who that model likely was.

“Now she kept her eyes locked on him as he took his shot, throwing her head back dramatically as he did, only to quickly toss the alcohol over her shoulder,” Ratajkowski writes. “When he faced her again, her eyes sparkled and the famous dimples appeared on her cheeks.”

Low has since become a fugitive wanted for allegedly running an international money laundering scheme, and in 2017, Reuters reported that model Miranda Kerr — known for her dimples — was being ordered to return “diamond pendants, earrings and other jewelry worth about $8 million” that Low allegedly gifted her to government agents.

In 2017, Ratajkowski also posted a video on Instagram potentially outing Bella Hadid and Hailey Bieber as yacht girls as they danced aboard a yacht during that year’s Cannes Film Festival.

          View this post on Instagram                       A post shared by Emily Ratajkowski (@emrata)

Many people have also accused Meghan Markle of yachting (but then again, what haven't people accused Markle of at this point).

People have pointed to an old photo of Markle on a yacht as proof that she’s a former yacht girl.

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Another old blind item also suggested the former actress was available to “rent.”

"If you see B actress post scantily clad photos of themselves on Social Media, this is often a Comm to [them] that this person is available to ‘rent’ for a weekend of ‘yachting,’” the tweet says, including a photo of Markle in a swimsuit.

"If you see B actress post scantily clad photos of themselves on Social Media, this is often a Comm to [them] that this person is available to “rent” for a weekend of “yachting”. Typically worth $30K for the “party” - Meghan Markle @3Days3Nights https://t.co/E3WfMjnVL9 pic.twitter.com/QFv476GL0b — yacht girl (@yachtgirlmm) November 27, 2019

Markle’s close friendship pre-Harry with actress Priyanka Chopra has naturally led some to guess that Chopra once yachted as well.

Another actress that faces endless rumors of yachting is Russian actress Irina Shayk , which according to THR, is par for the course as the outlet writes that yachting your way to stardom happens with “disturbing frequency,” particularly when it comes to foreign-born actresses.

According to THR, who claims to know “of at least one now-prominent actress who made her first connections on a Cannes yacht and quickly landed her debut role in a U.S.-shot movie,” such as with Shayk’s 2014 film “Hercules,” it’s “a red flag any time you see a foreign-born actress with no credits suddenly make her way into a U.S.-shot movie.”

Of course, when it comes to yachting in Hollywood, all of these claims appear to be unfounded.

These rumors make for good gossip, whether you’re talking about low-level social media influencers or high-profile celebrity actresses.

However, nothing is proven, leaving us to wonder any time we see a photo of women on a yacht.

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Micki Spollen is an editor, writer, and traveler focused on relationships, news, and pop culture. Follow her on Instagram .

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30 Photos of the British Royals Rowing, Sailing, and Cruising on Boats

From Queen Elizabeth to Kate Middleton, the royals love spending time at sea.

Given that the United Kingdom is surrounded by water, the British royals have a unifying affinity for boating. Sometimes they sail or row boats themselves, and other times they ride along as passengers on sprawling yachts. They've even been known to race boats against one another (Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, in particular). Famously, the royal family's massive yacht , the HMY Britannia , has hosted four honeymoons , including that of Prince Charles and Princess Diana. Overall, the royal brood is keen to head out to sea, resulting in some great images of them boating throughout the years. Keep scrolling to find our favorite photos of royals on, near, or steering boats.

May 26, 2021

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge can have a good time even if their boating is nontraditional. The couple raced "land yachts" on the beach in St Andrews, Scotland .

April 14, 2021

Princess Anne, wearing her signature sporty sunglasses , arrived on the Isle of Wight by boat.

August 8, 2019

Prince George watched as his mom competed on behalf of the Royal Foundation in the inaugural King's Cup regatta , hosted by the Duke and Duchess.

October 21, 2018

While visiting Sydney, Australia for the Invictus Games, Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, took a boat ride through the harbor.

July 20, 2017

Visiting Heidelberg, Germany, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge engaged in a little competition, coxing competing rowboats on the Neckar River.

November 25, 2016

Prince Harry took an official trip to the Caribbean, arriving by boat in Soufriere, Saint Lucia.

October 1, 2016

On the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's royal tour of Canada, Kate steered the ship, Pacific Grace, in Victoria Harbor.

September 2, 2016

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge often vacation on the Isles Of Scilly , a British resort where Prince William has spent time since his younger years. Here, he and Kate traveled by boat to St Martins, one of the islands.

September 30, 2016

On the same trip, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge sported matching jackets and life jackets as they rode a fishing boat.

July 24, 2016

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge flashed huge grins as they rode a speedboat alongside the America's Cup World Series Race, which took place in Portsmouth, UK.

June 24, 2015

German President Joachim Gauck and partner Daniela Schadt took Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip on a boat ride through Berlin's Spree River.

June 5, 2015

The Princess Royal and her husband, Sir Timothy Laurence, traveled, fittingly, by boat, during the Bicentenary Celebrations of The Royal Yacht Squadron.

June 23, 2014

Joking with a patient from the Rede Sarah Hospital for Neurological Rehabilitation, Prince Harry participated in canoe therapy in Brasilia, Brazil.

April 11, 2014

The Duchess of Cambridge is often spotted steering the ship. Here, she raced Prince William on an America's Cup yacht, while the pair visited Auckland, New Zealand.

July 4, 2011

Shortly after the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge married, the couple went on their first joint overseas tour to Canada. There, Kate helped row a dragon boat across Dalvay Lake in Charlottetown.

July 29, 2011

A royal brood disembarked the royal yacht, after attending a pre-wedding party for Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall. From left to right is Dave Clark (Princess Beatrice's then-boyfriend), Prince Harry, Prince William, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Princess Eugenie, Princess Beatrice, and Sophie, Countess of Wessex.

July 17, 1997

Princess Diana sported a funky bathing suit on board a speed boat in the South of France.

August 7, 1996

Prince Edward and Prince Philip were photographed on board the Britannia, as they rode away from the seaport town of Cowes.

July 11, 1992

Princess Anne braced herself while sailing in the Royal Lymington Yacht Club's Annual Regatta, as she sat in her protective hooded parka.

October 1991

Princess Diana took Prince William and Prince Harry on a trip to Niagara Falls, where the trio took a ride on one of the famous Maid of the Mist boats.

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Meghan Markle's Life in Photos

Looking back at the Duchess of Sussex's best moments through the years.

Before making history with her marriage to Prince Harry and subsequent induction into the British royal family, Meghan Markle was an American actress who starred in the popular legal drama Suits . Here, we gathered all the photos that represent Meghan's transition from a Los Angeles native pursuing an acting career to a duchess socializing with Great Britain's upper crust.

Meghan Markle worked as one of the briefcase models on the popular American game show Deal or No Deal .

Meghan attends the USA Network Upfront 2012 after-party at Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center in New York City.

Meghan wears a metallic minidress to the 12th-annual CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Awards at Spring Studios in New York City.

Meghan leaves a taping of the Today show at NBC Rockefeller Center Studios in New York City.

Meghan acts as Rachel Zane, one of the main characters on the legal drama Suits .

Meghan in the audience during the Opening Ceremony of the Invictus Games Toronto.

Meghan sits with future-husband Prince Harry during wheelchair tennis on day three of the Invictus Games Toronto.

Meghan and Harry hold hands during an official photocall to announce their engagement at the Sunken Gardens at Kensington Palace.

Meghan and Harry sit close during an official engagement photo shoot.

Meghan's engagement ring is visible in this portrait of the newly engaged couple.

The couple strolls the grounds at Frogmore House.

Meghan and her mother, Doria Ragland, arrive at Cliveden House Hotel on the National Trust's Cliveden Estate to spend the night before her wedding to Harry.

An aerial shot captures the newlyweds holding hands after the ceremony.

Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, emerge from the chapel after marrying.

The newlyweds wave as they leave Windsor Castle after their wedding to attend an evening reception at Frogmore House.

This wedding portrait was shot in Windsor Castle.

The royal newlyweds smile for the camera.

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, attends the Prince of Wales's 70th Birthday Patronage Celebration held at Buckingham Palace.

Meghan laughs with the queen during a ceremony to open the new Mersey Gateway Bridge in the town of Widnes in Halton, Cheshire, England.

As an associate editor at HarpersBAZAAR.com, Chelsey keeps a finger on the pulse on all things celeb news. She also writes on social movements, connecting with activists leading the fight on workers' rights, climate justice, and more. Offline, she’s probably spending too much time on TikTok, rewatching Emma (the 2020 version, of course), or buying yet another corset. 

Jennifer Algoo is the Visuals Director at Harper's BAZAAR.  She is a graduate of the School of Visual Arts and has previously worked at Patrick McMullan Co. as well as completing internships at Martha Stewart Weddings, Vogue and CosmoGirl! Magazine.   Jennifer covers royal, celeb and art content as well as overseeing all visual assets on BAZAAR.com.  When she's not obsessing over the royals you can find her attempting to solve cold cases as an armchair detective, traveling and experimenting with new recipes.  

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