ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

State Barge of Charles II

Okay kiddo, let's talk about the State Barge of Charles II! You know how sometimes we go on boats for fun? Well, back in the old days, important people like kings and queens used to have really fancy boats that they used for important events or just to show off their power. The State Barge of Charles II was one of those fancy boats.

Charles II was a king in England a long, long time ago. He was very important and wanted to look extra cool when he went on the river Thames in London. So, he had a special boat made just for him called the State Barge. This boat was very big and fancy with lots of decorations, like gold and paintings. It had a special canopy over the top to keep the king dry and comfy.

The State Barge was not just any regular boat, it was a barge. That means it was flat-bottomed and didn't have an engine or anything. Instead, it was powered by people rowing on each side. Can you imagine how hard that must have been? It also had a big flag on the front with gold letters that said "Charles Rex" which means "King Charles."

When King Charles II went on the State Barge, he would wear his fancy royal clothes and wave to all the people who came to see him. People loved seeing the king and his fancy boat because it was a big show of power and wealth. Even today, we can still see the State Barge of Charles II in all its glory at the Royal Museums in Greenwich, London.