THE Isle of Wight hosted royalty today (Tuesday, July 26), as HRH Anne, The Princess Royal visited sites in Cowes, Newport and Ventnor.
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In Cowes, UKSA welcomed Princess Anne to officially open its new Sea Change 136-bed accommodation centre, enabling the charity to greet an additional 3,000 young people each year.
As patron of the maritime training provider, Her Royal Highness spent the afternoon taking a tour of the new facility, unveiled a plaque to mark the occasion and had the opportunity to meet donors.
She was greeted by Ben Willows, UKSA CEO, Kevin George, chair of UKSA trustees, and the Island’s Lord-Lieutenant.
Ben Willows said: “We’ve been incredibly proud to show Her Royal Highness our new accommodation centre today and demonstrate what a difference it will make to the number of young people we are able to help.
“Her Royal Highness helped UKSA launch this campaign in 2018 and it is fantastic she could visit today and see the new facility and also extend her thanks to UKSA’s amazing set of supporters.”
Following the tour and plaque reveal, Her Royal Highness met children from Tile Cross School in Birmingham and Downside Fisher Youth Group from London who were on the sea.
In Newport, Princess Anne met patients, staff, volunteers and visitors during her tour of Mountbatten and spoke to everyone to learn more about the charity’s work.
Her Royal Highness also spent time with Mountbatten’s Knit and Natter and singing group and me the Kissypuppy team to talk about end-of-life services for children on the Island.
Nigel Hartley, Mountbatten CEO, said: “It was nearly ten years ago when HRH The Princess Royal last visited Mountbatten, so it was great for her to see how much we have grown as an organisation during that time.
“HRH took time to talk with our staff and lots of different people we support in many different ways, and I know that meant so much to everyone.
“We are hugely grateful to HRH for coming to see us and taking such an interest in everything we are doing for our Island community.”
Ken Booker was among the patients who spoke with HRH.
“She was lovely and spent several minutes with me talking about my life on the Island and my work as a builder,” said Ken.
“I was really grateful she spent so much time talking to me.”
Her Royal Highness unveiled a special plaque to commemorate her visit, and staff presented her with a bouquet and a hamper of Isle of Wight produce to say thank you.
In Ventnor, she visited Cheetah Marine boat building factor on Eastern Esplanade.
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