On 16 April 1953 the new HMY Britannia was launched by The Queen. It was built by the Clydebank shipyard, John Brown & Co. HMY Britannia was designed as an ocean-going vessel and royal residence in which to entertain guests around the world. Prince Philip took an active role in the design, drawing on his own naval experience. The architect Sir Hugh Casson designed the interiors. During almost 44 years HMY Britannia made more than 700 overseas visits and was also the setting for many relaxed family holidays, including an annual cruise around the Western Isles of Scotland. HMY Britannia was decommissioned in 1997 and is now berthed at the Port of Leith, Edinburgh.