Princess Yachts announced that founder David King has died after six decades leading the company.
Born in Dundee, Scotland, in 1942, King studied engineering at the Royal Naval College in Dartmouth while serving in the Royal Navy before founding Marine Projects in 1965 with two in Plymouth, England. That venture grew into Princess Yachts.
“For many people, it is difficult to think of Princess without thinking of David King,” the company said in a tribute. “For more than six decades, David dedicated his life to the company he founded, helping transform a modest boatbuilding business on Plymouth’s waterfront into one of the world’s most respected luxury yacht builders.”
The tribute described King as a man of “quiet determination, endless curiosity and genuine humility,” who remained a familiar presence at the Princess yard even after stepping back from day-to-day leadership.
Princess said King remained uncomfortable with personal recognition throughout his career, and used acceptance speeches for industry lifetime achievement awards to highlight others’ contributions rather than his own.
“Everyone at Princess Yachts extends their deepest sympathies to David’s wife, family and loved ones,” the company said.
