Royal Thames Yacht Club
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| Nickname(s) | RTYC |
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| Founded | 1775 |
| Location | 60 Knightsbridge, London, United Kingdom |
| Website | http://www.royalthames.com |
The Royal Thames Yacht Club (RTYC) is the oldest continuously operating yacht club in the United Kingdom. Its headquarters are located at 60 Knightsbridge, London, England, overlooking Hyde Park. The club has a clear purpose:
"To provide the members with outstanding yacht cruising, racing and social opportunities in the UK and internationally, building on the Club's unique heritage, central London facilities and close reciprocal relationships with other leading yacht clubs around the world."
The RTYC was established in 1775 when Prince Henry, Duke of Cumberland and Strathearn, brother of King George III, put up a silver cup for a race on the River Thames and formed the Cumberland Fleet. This remains the alternative name of the club today. The RTYC name originates from 1830 when William IV of the United Kingdom came to the throne. Members of the club initially met in coffee houses. From 1857, the club owned various properties in London, moving to its current location of 60 Knightsbridge in 1923, although the current clubhouse was built more recently.
Yachting originally took place on the Thames but the Solent became increasingly important in the 1850s as the railways made the south coast more accessible.
The club has had many distinguished Flag Officers and traditionally the Commodore has been a member of the royal family. Louis Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma was Commodore for 20 years and today the club's Commodore is HRH Prince Andrew, the Duke of York. The Patron of the Club is HRH the Duke of Edinburgh and the Admiral is HRH Prince Charles the Prince of Wales.
The club is involved in a range of yachting events for both the cruising and racing yachtsman, motor yacht owners and all those interested in the sea. Through the club's events and other contacts, members have access to yachting activities worldwide. They also have use of all the facilities of the clubhouse in Knightsbridge and leading reciprocal clubs around the world.
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