Yacht Lady Christine Listed by Her First & Only Owner

Irvine Laidlaw has launched multiple businesses as an entrepreneur and funded numerous academies and scholarships. The Scotsman additionally has taken delivery of several yachts over his lifetime. He’s parting with one he’s owned for the past 15 years, the Feadship yacht Lady Christine, whose groundbreaking design details should attract significant interest.

Irvine Laidlaw and his wife Christine—the inspiration behind the name Lady Christine—chose to build the 223-footer (68-meter) for a few reasons. Among the biggest, they enjoyed refitting another Feadship, Seaflower. The 131-footer (40-meter) originally launched from Royal Van Lent in 2002. The experience convinced Laidlaw that if he intended to build a new yacht in the future, he should turn to Royal Van Lent. “I think Feadship would confirm that we were among the most involved and detailed owners with whom they have partnered,” Laidlaw said after taking delivery. The couple visited the yard “on countless occasions” and spent significant time working with interior designer Rodney Black and Royal Van Lent on even the smallest details.

Those details are in large part why the yacht Lady Christine stands out among custom megayachts. Throughout her six split-level decks, you’ll find remarkable marquetry murals. The most striking of them all is in the main lobby, alongside the spiral stairway between the main deck and owner’s deck. Landmarks ranging from the Eiffel Tower to the Empire State Building nearly leap off the walls. Look closer, and you’ll see the yacht Lady Christine cruising just beneath the Taj Mahal. The juxtaposition is purposeful, since each destination is a favorite for the Laidlaws.

More marquetry makes the private cinema a treat. It’s no mere room for keeping your eyes on the screen. Instead, you’ll find yourself admiring the images of film legends like Sophia Loren, Humphrey Bogart, Audrey Hepburn, Jimmy Stewart, and even Mickey and Minnie Mouse. The remainder of the cinema shows off Art Deco touches, fitting in light of the old Hollywood mural.

In an era where infinity pools are ubiquitous, the one aboard Lady Christine may not seem special. However, in the late 2000s, when construction took place, pools of any kind were rare. The Laidlaws requested that the infinity pool sit against the aftmost portion of the main deck. They also wanted the water to spill over the yacht’s nameboard, revealing when the transom folded down. Royal Van Lent recommended a modification, devised in house. Although it appears water does flow over the stern, jet sprays create the effect. Additionally, the drainage and filling system was, and remains, high tech, raising the water level and raising the temperature swiftly. Simultaneously, it prevents water from spilling over the sides of the pool and damaging the deck and finishes, a concern that led to the suggested modification.

Typically, superyacht owners select designers well known in yachting. The Laidlaws chose a different path, specifically Rodney Black, an architect and interior designer with an affinity for historic buildings. Together, they imbued Lady Christine with Art Deco influences. They take the form of mother of pearl inlays on the saloon doors (above), for instance. The sliding glass doors in the piano bar (below) on the main deck, which open onto balconies, reveal the influence, too.

From the distinctive period-authentic details to the use of macassar ebony, maple, cherry, and ambonya burr woods, the yacht Lady Christine keeps your senses engaged. Even with capacious areas like the dedicated owners’ deck, she doesn’t overwhelm—and doesn’t lose connection with the sea. In fact, the sundeck’s Key West lounge (below) is literally and figuratively an elevated indoor-outdoor relaxation area. Whether for formal dinners or casual get-togethers, it pairs with a large awning over the alfresco space to become inviting. A Teppanyaki grill, barbecue, and pizza oven all sit outside as well, catering to whatever the mood may be.

Featuring a certified helipad with refueling station and stowage for abundant tenders and toys, the yacht Lady Christine can support long-range voyages. A recently completed refit means the healthy stowage and cold rooms on the tank deck straight up to the Key West room area ready for their next chapter.