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HRH The Princess Royal pays special visit to the Royal Navy Sailing Association
11 March 2025
Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal made her inaugural visit to the Royal Navy Sailing Association (RNSA) in Gosport, marking the charity’s 90th anniversary, as its newly appointed Admiral and Patron.
The visit provided an opportunity for the Royal Navy Sailing Association to showcase its efforts in making the benefits of sailing widely accessible to the Naval community and for Her Royal Highness to meet with the charity’s trustees, key personalities, and supporters, to acknowledge the invaluable contributions of the RNSA’s 5000-strong community.
Upon arrival, The Princess Royal was accompanied by His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire and welcomed by RNSA’s Chief Executive, Commodore (Retired) Philip Warwick and trustee and offshore sailor, Chief Petty Officer Katrina Daniels.
During the visit, Her Royal Highness engaged with a wide range of naval personnel, their families, RNSA members and staff, along with some key stakeholders, to learn more about the association’s impact and latest achievements.
A key highlight of the day was The Princess Royal’s presentation of the Life Flag Officer’s Burgee to the Royal Navy Sailing Association’s Manager, Wayne Shirley, in recognition of his exceptional and longstanding support to the RNSA and reflecting his invaluable contribution to the association’s success over many years.
Upon receiving the burgee, Wayne Shirley said: “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 continued: “RNSA is an amazing Association and on its 90th year it is great to see it delivering so effectively for the naval community.”
On conclusion of the visit, the Chief Executive highlighted how honoured the association was that Her Royal Highness had agreed to be their Admiral, following in the footsteps of her father and grandfather. As The Princess Royal departed, she was presented with a posy of flowers by Miss Arrielle Deane, one of RNSA’s Youth Crew.
Philip Warwick said: “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.”
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 wellbeing; 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.
Founded in 1935 with the mission of encouraging the sport of sailing in the Royal Navy, the RNSA remains dedicated to this purpose. Now a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, the association takes pride in its diverse and dedicated community, comprising a majority of serving personnel and veterans.
For more information about the Royal Navy Sailing Association, please visit https://www.rnsa.org.uk.