HRH The Princess Royal and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence visited Cowes yesterday (Monday) to watch the Cowes Week sailing.
It was both Royal Navy Day and Charity Day and, on shore, competitors and visitors were treated to a parade of the Band of HM Royal Marines who marched through the town from Cowes Yacht Haven to the Royal Yacht Squadron (RYS) and on to Holy Trinity Church.
This parade not only consisted of the Royal Marines Band but cadets from Sea Cadet units including those from TS Royal George, Ryde and TS Osborne, Cowes. At the church, the cadets formed a guard of honour for HRH The Princess Royal and other dignitaries including the Island’s Lord Lieutenant Susie Sheldon.
At Holy Trinity (The Sailors Church) a special service, conducted by Rev. Amanda Collinson, was held to bless the memorial plaques to the late Queen Elizabeth ll and HRH Prince Philip.
In an address, Peter Nicholson (Commodore of the RYS 1996-2001) paid tribute to her late Majesty and said how Prince Philip had been involved with the RYS since 1948, mentioning the yachts his HRH had sailed on including Bluebottle, Coweslip and Yeoman.
Following the church service HRH The Princess Royal attended an event at the RYS.
