This week, The Princess Royal visited the Royal Navy Sailing Association in Gosport to mark the charity’s 90th anniversary. As the newly appointed Admiral and Patron of the RNSA, Princess Anne attended the event to acknowledge the contributions of the association’s 5000-strong community.
Anne is the newly appointed Admiral and Patron of the RNSA. (Royal Family)
Founded in 1935, the Royal Navy Sailing Association has long been committed to promoting the sport of sailing within the Royal Navy. The Princess Royal’s appointment as Admiral follows in the footsteps of members of her family including her father, Prince Philip, and her grandfather, George VI, who all held the role.
Upon arrival, Her Royal Highness was accompanied by His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire and welcomed by RNSA’s Chief Executive, Commodore (Retired) Philip Warwick, as well as trustee and offshore sailor, Chief Petty Officer Katrina Daniels. Throughout the visit, The Princess Royal engaged with naval personnel, their families, and RNSA members to learn more about the association’s impact and recent accomplishments.
As the association’s newly appointed Admiral and Patron, HRH The Princess Royal paid a special visit to the @royalnavy Sailing Association to mark the charity’s 90th anniversary.
Read more: https://t.co/dB2QWlXiyx#royalnavy #sailing #royalnavysport pic.twitter.com/W1perTsm8o
— NAVYfit (@NAVYfit) March 11, 2025
A key moment during the event was The Princess Royal’s presentation of the Life Flag Officer’s Burgee to Wayne Shirley, the Royal Navy Sailing Association’s Manager. This special recognition honoured Shirley’s longstanding dedication to the RNSA and his vital contributions to its success over the years.
Reflecting on the honour, Shirley expressed his gratitude: ‘It was an absolute honour to receive my Life Vice Commodore’s burgee from Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal. I am hugely passionate about Navy sailing and have enjoyed encouraging participation in our sport over many years’. He added, ‘RNSA is an amazing association, and on its 90th year, it is great to see it delivering so effectively for the naval community’.
The Princess Royal’s presentation of the Life Flag Officer’s Burgee to Wayne Shirley. (Royal Family)
At the conclusion of the visit, Chief Executive Philip Warwick emphasised how privileged the association felt to have The Princess Royal as their Admiral. As she departed, Her Royal Highness was presented with a posy of flowers by Miss Arrielle Deane, a member of the RNSA’s Youth Crew. Warwick commented, ‘The Royal Navy Sailing Association is absolutely thrilled and honoured that Her Royal Highness has agreed to be our Patron and Admiral on our 90th anniversary. Her endorsement will provide the ideal impetus and energy for the RNSA to further its charitable work and engagement with its members’.
Princess Anne spoke to Navy personnel. (Royal Family)
The Royal Navy Sailing Association continues to achieve its mission through three core objectives: making sailing fun, inclusive, and accessible for the naval community to enhance health and well-being; developing competitive Royal Navy sailing teams with a winning mentality; and supporting the families of serving personnel by providing opportunities for children to participate in sailing activities.
Now operating as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, the RNSA remains dedicated to its founding mission, taking pride in its diverse and committed community, which includes a majority of serving personnel and veterans.
