The club’s inception took place during a pivotal meeting convened at the venerable House of Lords in 1949. The gathering culminated in a unanimous decision to extend membership to an exclusive cohort, including peers, the eldest progeny of peers, officers hailing from the House of Lords, and the dedicated staff of the Lord Chancellor. Guided by a vision of nautical excellence, the inaugural leadership materialized with the election of John Moore-Brabazon, 1st Baron Brabazon of Tara, as the pioneering commodore, and Christopher Roper-Curzon, 19th Baron Teynham, as the esteemed vice-commodore.
In the midst of June 1949, an official missive, drafted on behalf of the club by the Secretary to the Lord Great Chamberlain, was extended to the Admiralty. The entreaty sought the Admiralty’s endorsement for a club flag, envisioned as a derivative of the White Ensign, embellished with the emblem of a portcullis. A corresponding burgee, characterized by a striking red Palace of Westminster portcullis and a crown, was also proffered. However, the Admiralty’s historical accord of employing the White Ensign solely for the Royal Yacht Squadron since 1842 posed a stumbling block, rendering the requested flag untenable. A subsequent consensus was reached in June 1950, resulting in the adoption of the Blue Ensign as the base for the club’s ensign. This newly unveiled emblem showcased a dignified gold vertical anchor, crowned by a royal coronet, meticulously embellished upon the azure expanse. A parallel burgee design materialized, featuring a resplendent red portcullis and a complementary coronet against a pristine white backdrop.
By April 1950, the Club’s Secretary presented a promising report, indicating a membership of 48 distinguished individuals, paralleled by the ownership of 26 yachts. In the year 1952, an exceptional honor was bestowed upon Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, who was appointed “Admiral of the House of Lords Yacht Club.” Subsequently, he assumed the esteemed role of Commodore from 1961 to 1968, a testament to his unwavering commitment to the maritime fraternity. Remarkably, in the year 2020, Prince Philip continued to uphold the distinguished title of Admiral of the club, reaffirming his enduring connection to its legacy.
A treasure trove of historical artifacts, charting the club’s governance, annual assemblies, financial accounts, and vibrant social galas, between the years 1951 and 1983, resides within the hallowed archives of the Parliamentary realm.