Britain's 'most-exclusive' 'men's-only' club admits women for first time in 200 years

The Royal Yacht Squadron club has announced that it will now admit female members for the first time in its 198-year history, as Queen Elizabeth II would now also be able to be a member, from her earlier patron role.

According to CNN, the yacht club has an illustrious place in British history, launching the first ever America's Cup in 1815 and Cowes Week in 1826, which starts each race with cannon fire over the water.

For almost 200 years Britain's Royal Yacht Squadron has had a strict men-only policy, meaning even its patron, Queen Elizabeth II, was denied entry but it now seems the tide has finally turned for the world's most prestigious sailing club, after it voted in favor of allowing women to become members for the first time in its history, the report said.

The elite club, based in the dramatic 16th century Cowes Castle on the Isle of Wight in southern Britain, unanimously voted for the new rules this week, the report added.

British sailor Dee Caffari, the only women to have circumnavigated the globe three times, expressed that the change in rules could encourage more women to join the sport, the report further said.