Britain's Queen Elizabeth II during a visit to the Royal Yacht Squadron clubhouse last year. She might be a patron, but that doesn't mean she's a member. But all that could be about to change...
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(CNN) -- You know a club is exclusive when they won't even let the Queen in.
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 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.
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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.
Of its 475 members, 150 attended the meeting -- all agreeing to introduce the rules from Spring next year.
The membership changes require no further vote, but still need to be ratified by all members.
Founded in 1815, the yacht club has an illustrious place in British history, launching the first ever America's Cup -- so named after the New York Yacht Club beat their English rivals in their boat "America."
In 1826, the club also started the annual Cowes Week sailing regatta, which kicked off on Monday and features more than 8,000 sailors from across the world.
The squadron's grand castle marks the start line for Cowes Week races, firing cannons over the water.
While the prestigious club is currently open to "gentlemen actively interested in yachting," in reality usually people of the upper classes are invited to join.
To become a member, you must still be voted in through another member.
The Queen's husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, is the club's Admiral, while Queen Elizabeth II herself is a patron -- though not officially a member.
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British sailor Dee Caffari, the only woman to have circumnavigated the globe three times, said the change in rules could encourage more women to join the sport.
"Making such bold changes to clubs with strong traditions and heritage takes time -- we've seen it take place at Lords in cricket, we have recently discussed female club members at Muirfield during the Golf Open and now we are seeing a change at the Royal Yacht Squadron," she told CNN.
"Many yachts have women amongst the team members so this now allows the club to better reflect the sport of sailing. It also highlights the uniqueness of our sport that it is one of the few sports that allow men and women to compete on a level playing field."
In the early 1960s, the club did allow Lady Associate Members, who were allowed to use facilities.
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The prestigious club has announced it will now admit female members for the first time in its 198-year history. Perhaps best known as the home of annual British regatta -- Cowes Week -- the club was launched in 1815. Here Princess Anne arrives on day three of this year's regatta.
British TV presenter and actor Donna Air, and CNN's MainSail presenter Shirley Robertson, soak up the sun at this year's Cowes Week regatta.
British sailor Dee Caffari, the only woman to circumnavigate the world three times, saw the change as a positive step. "Making such bold changes to clubs with strong traditions and heritage takes time -- we've seen it take place at Lords in cricket, we have recently discussed female club members at Muirfield during the Golf Open and now we are seeing a change at the Royal Yacht Squadron," she told 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.
Spectators watch from the shore as yachts compete in Cowes Week,on the Isle of Wight in southern England. More than 8,000 sailors compete from around the world in the historic regatta.
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