PRINCE Philip’s motorboat has sold for £69,000 after a bidding war.
He was pictured piloting the 1956 Albatross MkIII on the Isle of Wight with Prince Charles, eight, on board.
The photograph featured on a thank you card issued by the Prince of Wales in response to a message of sympathy following Philip’s death last year.
The 13ft-long craft was sold unrestored with the original engine in London, going for double its £30,000 estimate.
It was powered by a Ford 100E 1,172cc side-valve engine and had a top speed of 34mph when new.
The red, white and blue boat was carried on the Royal Yacht Britannia for more than a decade.
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It was moved to the Balmoral Estate in 1967 where it was used for water-skiing and later reputedly driven by Princess Diana.
The vessel was decommissioned in 1987.
Tim Schofield of auctioneers Bonhams, said: “This really is a unique and fascinating piece of royal history.
“We were privileged to be presenting it at our Goodwood sale.”
