The wooden ship, built from mountain larch in the foothills of the Bavarian Alps, made its maiden voyage, ready for its installation in Kensington Gardens. Drone footage showed the first half of the structure being carefully lifted by a crane into the royal park where it will serve as a new “full-scale” ship for children to enjoy. It was brought across the North Sea from Rotterdam in Holland to Tilbury in Essex and then by road to London. The Royal Parks charity said the £3 million was being spent after the previous equipment “reached the end of its life”. Andy Williams, park manager for Kensington Gardens, said: “We are delighted to have the new galleon – the centrepiece of the Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Playground – here in Kensington Gardens.

Source: The Star February 25, 2026 19:27 UTC