The Princess Royal was busy as ever this week, recognising heroes with the Royal Society of St. George, as well as those who have Whitley Fund for Nature Annual Awards.
Starting off on 23rd April, Princess Anne traveled to Gloucester Cathedral to observe the 40th Anniversary of the Gloucester Branch of the Royal Society of St. George. The Princess Royal was received by Dame Jane Trotter, Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Gloucester and presented the Nairac Youth Awards during the St. George’s Day service; this was also the day her great-nephew was born, Prince Louis of Cambridge. Each year, the Royal Society of St. George recognizes young, unacknowledged heroes from the region and bestows these accolades upon them.
This year, Lewis Clarke was chosen as one of these unsung heroes, after the Society learned of his efforts to save his father’s life. Last October, Lewis found his father Geoff on the floor of their home after suffering a massive stroke. The quick-thinking teenager called 999 and attempted to keep his father conscious until the ambulance could reach them. Thankfully, after enduring three separate brain operations, Geoff Clarke is well on the road to recovery and was able to be with his brave son as he received his award from The Princess Royal.
Well done to Lewis for this much deserved award! https://t.co/dMQgBwNaXf
— MattyGaz (@matty_gaz) April 24, 2018
Lewis shared: “I felt very privileged to be presented with such an award by Princess Anne. My dad being there made it so much better, because it made me feel more confidant in what I’d achieved, as he was now able to make his way to watch me.”
Pat Ayers, MBE, Gloucester RSSG Branch chair added: “We were privileged that Her Royal Highness attended our 40th Anniversary Service and honoured that she presented all the awards this evening.”
Serving as president of the Mission to Seafarers Limited, Princess Anne was welcomed by the Baltic Exchange for a Mission to Seafarers luncheon on Wednesday 25th April. Senior executives in attendance were updated on the Mission’s global work and informed about the new and exciting developments that are happening within the charity.
The Princess Royal then attended a trustees meeting for the RNVR Youth Sailing Training Trust, of which she is patron.
Rounding out her full day of engagements, Princess Anne presented the Whitley Fund for Nature Annual Awards at the Royal Geographical Society. The Princess Royal has been patron of the Whitley Fund since 1999, and at the ceremony she was received by Sir Michael Dixon, Deputy Lieutenant of Greater London. The Whitley Fund is a nature conservation charity that provides grants, fundraises, and finances training for grassroots conservative leaders. Each award is valued at £40,000 and goes towards project funding for the year. Winning one of these highly competitive awards can substantially raise a conservationists profile and help to highlight their successful work on an international scale.
Of the Whitley Fund for Nature, The Princess Royal remarked: ” WFN is a direct funding charity that really does minimise the bits in – between. The funding goes straight to the winners, who have a lasting impact on global, national, and political levels.”
Honoured and humbled to receive the Whitley Award from HRH Princess Royal! Thank you veryone for the support! pic.twitter.com/b9tImZ0ckZ
— Shahriar Caesar Rahman (@shahriarcaesar) April 30, 2018
A Peruvian conservationist leading the way to protect giant manta rays was presented last night with a prestigious #WhitleyAward by HRH The Princess Royal.
Kerstin Forsberg, Founder of Planeta Océano, received her award at the Royal Geographical Society, #London. pic.twitter.com/QNqsAoongD
— Embassy of Peru in the UK (@PeruInUK) April 26, 2018
Thursday, the 26th of April found the Princess visiting Billingsgate Market on Trafalgar Way, in her capacity as Prime Warden for the Fishmonger’s Company, before she headed over to Fishmonger’s Hall , London Bridge to attend a breakfast. This was followed up by an afternoon reception at the Pontone Gallery in London, where as president of Animal Health Trust, Anne was received by the Deputy Lieutenant of Greater London, Lady Arnold. That evening, as Past Master of the Worshipful Company of Carmen, the Princess attended a Joint Services Awards Dinner at Plaisterers’ Hall .
As her busy week came to a close, The Princess Royal and her husband, Sir Timothy Laurence, were greeted by a crowded church at Holy Trinity in Minchinhampton. As patron of the Holy Trinity Church Appeal, Princess Anne attended the dedication service to mark the completion of the first phase of the major renovation that the church is undertaking.
In this initial phase, the pews were removed from the church and a beautiful stone – flagged floor was laid. Holy Trinity Church has not undergone any sort of major restoration or improvement since the Victorian Era.
37 photos of Princess Anne and Sir Tim Laurence’s Minchinhampton visit https://t.co/TKxd74lIGF pic.twitter.com/2h0uYz9Tix
— Stroud News &Journal (@stroudnews) April 29, 2018
After the conclusion of the service, Princess Anne and Sir Tim chatted with many of the congregation on hand for the dedication, from local builders, craftspeople, sponsors, and trustees who helped to fund this major historic project, to local members of the area. A lovely plaque was also unveiled by the Princess to commemorate the occasion.
During her speech, the Princess claimed that she had been “inspired” during her visit. She articulated that “this project is a really good example of what can be done, and I am inspired by what you have achieved here. The occasion is a part of a history of the church and a remarkable journey for all of those involved.”
Taking a look at this week’s Royal Diary, it seems as if The Princess Royal will once again partake in a jam packed schedule of events throughout the Commonwealth.
