Sailing pays tribute
Leading sailing organisations paid tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, following her death on Thursday, 8 September.
Statements were released by a number of organisations, which recognised the Queen’s and Prince Philip’s support of sailing over decades.
The RYA looked back at how in 1948, the then Princess Elizabeth and and Prince Philip were listed as new members of the RYA, known then as the Yacht Racing Association. It became the Royal Yachting Association in 1952 when Sir Ralph Gore, then President, spoke of “Her Majesty’s recent command that the name of the Association will in future be the Royal Yachting Association.”
During Cowes Week, RYA Council meetings were often held on HMY Britannia, one of 83 royal yachts over the years.
HMY Britannia was also a vessel for family holidays, on what became known as the Western Isles tour, cruising around Scotland in the summer. In 1997 Britannia was placed in the port of Leith in Scotland, where it serves as a floating museum and events venue. Clocks on board remain stopped at 3:01, the time that Her Majesty disembarked for the last time.
Chris Preston, Chair of the Royal Yachting Association, said: “Like so many around the world, we are deeply saddened at the loss of Her Majesty The Queen. Her patronages and charities have covered a wide range of issues, from opportunities for young people, to the preservation of wildlife and the environment. It was an honour for the RYA to host Her Majesty The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh on a trip to Cowes in 2012, where they were introduced to a number of young OnBoard sailors who were enjoying the opportunity to try sailing and windsurfing.
“Having Her Majesty as Royal Patron, alongside the support of her husband HRH The Duke of Edinburgh as former RYA President,
