Modern Times

The visionary strategy and the enormous investment of the Phillips family together with Danny Cwmtudy's drive and entrepreneurship saw the RCYC become the world's most prestigious and exclusive private yacht club. The RCYC became a mecca for the rich and famous from all over the world and played host to some of the greatest Superyachts of the time.

Delphine, (see image above) known as the original ocean queen, visited in 1942 with her owner Horace Dodge of the famous American automobile company. In 1942 President Roosevelt and Winston Churchill held a secret meeting on board to discuss the war. As the ships staff were sent ashore for the night Dani Cwmtydu cooked them both a hearty dinner of Welsh 'Cawl' followed by Welsh Cakes and Welsh whisky. They became enamoured with the Club and were invited to become members and enjoyed many an evening in later years playing draughts (or checkers as President Roosevelt liked to call it) with Dani until the early hours.

Another frequent visitor was the 'Shemara'  (see below) who belonged to Sir Bernard Docker and his infamous wife known as 'Naughty Nora' due to her lavish lifestyle. They frequently entertained the good and the great of English high-society and aristocracy and Princess Margaret and her lover Peter Townsend were often secret guests on board. The Princess was so charmed by the club and its surroundings that she became a lifelong member and a Patron. Shemara is now owned by the wealthy entrepreneur Lord Charles Dunstone who carried out a major refurbishment in 2010. She is still a frequent visitor to the club, as is her owner, who is a Patron and also a great fan of Berwin's locally made Welsh Cakes.

Perhaps the most famous of the post war frequent visitors was 'Christina 'O' ' owned by the Greek Shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis.His lavish parties attracted royalty, entertainers and world leaders the most famous being Jack and Jackie Kennedy. Grace Kelly was a regular visitor and the rumors of the day were that she had a torrid affair with Dani Cwmtydu. She was distraught when Dani would not move to Holywood with her, because he'd just started his second hand furniture business, and she married Prince Rainier of Monaco on the rebound!

The modern super-yachts of today still frequent this most famous of Yacht Clubs and are attracted here in no small part because the club prides itself on the it's high level of discretion and diplomacy. The facilities are second to non and the award winning restaurants have a worldwide reputation. The RCYC remains an exclusive and independent retreat for it's members and guests and the 'by invitation only' policy helps to keep the club as the envy of the yachting world.