Please select your home edition
Edition

Royal Yachting Association mourns the passing of Her Majesty The Queen

by Royal Yachting Association 8 Sep 2022 20:09 BST 8 September 2022
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II - 1926-2022 © RYA

The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) is deeply saddened by the loss of our Patron, Her Majesty The Queen. Our thoughts and condolences are with The Princess Royal, RYA President, and the entire Royal Family.

Known for her sense of duty and her devotion to a life of service, Her Majesty The Queen has been an important figurehead for the UK and the Commonwealth. She has ruled for longer than any other Monarch in British history, becoming a much loved and respected figure across the globe.

In 1948, Her Royal Highness Princess Elizabeth, Duchess of Edinburgh and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh 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." He had written to the Home Secretary at the time, asking him kindly to convey to Her Majesty "our great appreciation of this command".

The Royal Family has a long history of seafaring. Over the centuries the Monarchy has sailed aboard 83 royal yachts, including the most recent, HMY Britannia, which often hosted the RYA Council meetings during Cowes Week.

In addition to her diplomatic duties on royal tours, HMY Britannia was also a vessel for family holidays. During the summer months, the Royal Family would often take off on what became known as the aptly named Western Isles tour, cruising around Scotland. The tour often included a stop off at the Castle of Mey to visit The Queen Mother before berthing in Aberdeen so that Her Majesty The Queen could travel to her favourite summer home, Balmoral.

With so many fond memories around the yacht, Her Majesty The Queen officially took her leave of it in 1997 and the vessel was placed in the port of Leith in Scotland, where it serves as a floating museum and events venue. All of the clocks on board remain stopped at 3:01, the exact time that Her Majesty disembarked for the last time.

In 1948, Bluebottle was presented to Her Majesty The Queen (then HRH Princess Elizabeth) and HRH Prince Philip as a wedding present from the Island Sailing Club of Cowes, Isle of Wight. Bluebottle is the only British Dragon to have won an Olympic medal, picking up a bronze at the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games.

Chris Preston, Chair of the Royal Yachting Association, today 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 and her daughter The Princess Royal as our current President, has undoubtedly helped us to raise awareness of our aims to increase participation in boating, to promote safety afloat and to raise sailing standards. Her Majesty will be sorely missed and we offer our deepest condolences to our President, The Princess Royal, and her family."

Related Articles

Sir Michael Arthur appointed as RYA Chair
An experienced racing and cruising sailor and accomplished British academic The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) has today announced the appointment of Professor Sir Michael Arthur, an experienced racing and cruising sailor and accomplished British academic, as the new Chair of its Board. Posted on 21 Mar
Free tickets for RYA members
To the Southampton International Boat Show this September The Southampton International Boat Show returns to Mayflower Park (15-24 September) and RYA members can take advantage of an exclusive FREE ticket to the show, plus up to two half-price tickets. Posted on 3 Mar
2023 RYA Volunteer Awards nominations open
Recognising all those who have contributed to the sport and made an impact in their communities Nominations are now open for the 2023 RYA Volunteer Awards, recognising all those who have contributed to the sport and made an impact in their communities. Posted on 1 Mar
RYA Board welcomes new non-executive director
Polly Handford, the Football Association's highly regarded director of legal & governance, appointed The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) has today announced the appointment of Polly Handford, the Football Association's highly regarded director of legal and governance, as a non-executive director of its Board. Posted on 10 Feb
RYA expresses disappointment at IPC's decision
Not to reinstate sailing to LA28 Paralympic Games The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) has today expressed its profound disappointment at the International Paralympic Committee's decision not to reinstate sailing to the Paralympic Games for LA28. Posted on 30 Jan
RYA welcomes personal watercraft legislation
The Merchant Shipping (Watercraft) Order will come into force on 31 March 2023 Legislation from the Department for Transport (DfT) to bring some previously unregulated activities within the scope of the Merchant Shipping Act (MSA) 1995 was yesterday (18 January) laid before Parliament. Posted on 19 Jan
Returned Goods Relief policy changes refused
Marine bodies informed of the Government's decision to reject proposal by the RYA Disappointing outcome felt by the Royal Yachting Association, British Marine, Association of Brokers and Yacht Agents, and the Cruising Association. Posted on 19 Dec 2022
HRH The Princess Royal recognises volunteers
RYA celebrates exceptional commitment and achievements with awards Dedicated volunteers from across the UK have been awarded for their exceptional commitment and achievements in boating by Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, President of the RYA. Posted on 16 Nov 2022
2022 RYA Affiliated Clubs Conferences
The countdown is now on and bookings are open The countdown is now on and bookings are open for the 2022 RYA Affiliated Clubs Conferences, with a busy schedule of free events taking place across the UK this winter. Posted on 12 Oct 2022