Britain's Prince Philip has visited the world's oldest steam boat.
The 91-year-old royal - who was forced to cancel an engagement on Monday (03.06.13) because he was feeling unwell - took in the solo trip to see the SS Robin, a ship he campaigned for decades to save, at Royal Victoria Dock in Newham, east London, yesterday (05.06.13).
The Duke of Edinburgh's perseverance has finally paid off as the ship - which was built in Britain in 1890 - has now completed a £3 million five-year restoration with the help of lottery funding, and it will now stay in the capital permanently.
David Kampfner, chief executive and co-founder of the SS Robin Trust, said: "She's a true London icon, symbolising the spirit of engineering, innovation, technology and true grit which made - and continues to make - the East End great.
"The duke was saying the vessel was very high tech when it was built. He described it as the 'jet plane of its day'.
"That resonates with him. People think of its history but it was very modern when it was built. He related it to the origin of modern shipping."
The prince met staff who helped make the restoration possible and went on a tour of ship, which will be opened to the public next year.
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