In 1902, a year after the death of Queen Victoria, Prince Edward, Prince of Wales, was crowned King Edward VII. To commemorate the end of the Victorian Age, Harry Tagg of East Molesey on the River Thames constructed an 81-foot Hurlingham-style passenger steamboat named The King. Unlike many vessels of the time, she was built from teak rather than iron or steel. The King was a sister ship to The Windsor, both owned by Thames Launches Ltd, based on Eel Pie Island, Twickenham.

The King regularly carried up to 200 passengers between Hampton Court, Richmond, and Kew. Powered by a single steam engine, she was easily identified by her bowsprit, clipper stem, and classic lines. At a time when motor cruising was largely restricted to the wealthy, she served as a charabanc afloat.

On 28 May 1940, The King was among 540 privately owned vessels commandeered for the evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force from the beaches of Dunkirk. Despite her elegant shape and low freeboard making her ill-suited for open sea conditions—where even the wash from a destroyer could swamp her—she successfully completed the mission without mishap, aided by calm seas.

After World War II, The King was returned to Twickenham to resume peacetime operations. Her original steam engine was replaced with a 75hp, 6-cylinder Thornycroft internal combustion engine dating from 1947.

In 1985, Gary Beckwith purchased The King from Thames waterman C.H. Wyatt with the intention of restoring her to the former splendour of the Edwardian era. Following the 1986 season, the vessel was dry-docked at Len Bowman's Eel Pie Island Boatyard for extensive refurbishment. During the winter months, marine engineer and shipwright Ron Oemering undertook the restoration work, which included:

• Replacement of two teak planks on the hull
• Reconditioning of her 3-foot bronze propeller by Streamline Props of Hampshire
• Installation of new bearings for the propeller shaft
• Re-planking, re-caulking, and re-tingling of the oak decking
• Application of a new gloss blue and white paint scheme by the Eel Pie Island team

The interior was also transformed, with the ceiling rebuilt using 22 panels covered in washable suede-style material. Stripping away 80 years of paintwork revealed solid mahogany rafters beneath.

By 1989, The King was recognized as the oldest timber-hulled passenger ship operating on the tidal Thames. She remained available for private charter and daily excursions from Westminster Pier to Kew, accommodating up to 32 guests in her magnificently carved dining saloon. With two spacious decks—one open and one covered—she was well suited for wedding receptions and private parties. Guests could board at any Thames pier between Putney and Greenwich, enjoying facilities rarely matched by other vessels.

Those who crossed the Channel aboard The King in 1940 would likely appreciate her continued elegance, with the spirit of her history enduring within her ornate and durable timbers.

As of April 2018, The King remains in private ownership and is berthed at Beacon Boatyard on the Medway in Kent.