Royal Yacht Squadron
![](/Images/godic/202502/08/Royal-Yacht-Squadron-Burgee.svg5208.png")
![](/Images/godic/202502/08/Naval_Ensign_of_the_United_Kingdom.svg5208.png")
![Genesta (1885), the club's first challenger for the America's Cup](/Images/godic/202502/08/Cutter_Genesta5208.jpg")
![The Bronze Mermaid by Jonathan Wylder on the breakwater of the RYS Haven, which was modelled on Sharron Davies](/Images/godic/202502/08/Royal_Yacht_Squadron_Mermaid5208.jpg")
The Royal Yacht Squadron is one of the most prestigious yacht clubs in the world. Its clubhouse is Cowes Castle on the Isle of Wight in the United Kingdom. Member yachts are given the Suffix RYS to their names, and permitted to fly the White Ensign of the Royal Navy rather than the merchant Red Ensign flown by the majority of other UK registered vessels. The club's patron is Queen Elizabeth II and the club's admiral is Prince Philip who is also a former club commodore.