HRH The Princess Royal has agreed to act as Patron of the Island Sailing Club in Cowes, it has been announced.
Princess Anne and her husband, Timothy Laurence, are keen sailors and are well-known in Cowes. The pair can often be seen in the town during the annual Cowes Week regatta.
It’s been confirmed that Her Royal Highness will initially continue the Windsor’s close connection to the Isle of Wight club for a 3-year period.
Although the Island Sailing Club is not a warranted Royal club, the late Queen Elizabeth II and HRH Duke of Edinburgh were members of the club throughout their lives. The club gave the Royal couple a Daring sailing boat on the occasion of their marriage in 1947. Many of the burgees on display in the club were brought to the by the Duke following his sailing races in the USA.
Members were told of the news during a Christmas lunch last Saturday.
Tim Devlin, Commodore of the Island Sailing Club, has said:
“It is a delight for the members that the Princess has decided to continue the Royal patronage of the club.
The club is very grateful to our Admiral Sir Martin White (former Lord Lieutenant of the Island) for his help and advice in bringing about this very favourable appointment”.