HRH The Princess Royal visits Thames Sailing Club
22 Jun 21
Princess Anne thrilled members of the Thames Sailing Club on Tuesday (June 22) when she paid them a visit on the club's 150th anniversary.
The Princess, who is also the President of the Royal Yachting Association and a keen sailor herself, and shared words with old hands, dedicated sailors and kids learning the ropes at the club alike.
Her visit also coincided with the launch of a planned refurbishment of the club itself, and the Princess symbolically launched proceedings by planting a tree on site.
She presided over several special races that were held to mark the occasion, including a children’s race in Topper and Optimist dinghies, a Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) race, a Merlin Rocket dinghy race and a race for the club’s 'Thames A Raters', the famous Thames racers dating from 1898, presenting prizes to the winners.
"It was a privilege to host The Princess Royal. We are proud of our links to the Royal Family through Prince Philip, whose passing we mourn greatly, so this visit was very special to us," Commodore Matt Kyte said, referencing the late Duke of Edinburgh who was a long-standing patron of the club.
The Princess, who is also the President of the Royal Yachting Association and a keen sailor herself, and shared words with old hands, dedicated sailors and kids learning the ropes at the club alike.
Her visit also coincided with the launch of a planned refurbishment of the club itself, and the Princess symbolically launched proceedings by planting a tree on site.
She presided over several special races that were held to mark the occasion, including a children’s race in Topper and Optimist dinghies, a Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) race, a Merlin Rocket dinghy race and a race for the club’s 'Thames A Raters', the famous Thames racers dating from 1898, presenting prizes to the winners.
"It was a privilege to host The Princess Royal. We are proud of our links to the Royal Family through Prince Philip, whose passing we mourn greatly, so this visit was very special to us," Commodore Matt Kyte said, referencing the late Duke of Edinburgh who was a long-standing patron of the club.