His Majesty The King makes first official RNLI visit since becoming Patron
by RNLI 11 Jul 07:51 BST
Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) volunteers proudly welcomed King Charles III to Walmer RNLI Lifeboat Station on Thursday, marking His Majesty's first official engagement since becoming Patron of the lifesaving charity last year.
His Majesty was in Walmer as part of a special programme of events hosted by the Lord Warden of the Confederation of Cinque Ports, Admiral Sir George Zambellas. Neighbouring Deal is one of 14 coastal towns that make up the Confederation of Cinque Ports, formed for military and trade purposes with origins dating back to the 11th century.
On arrival at Walmer RNLI, His Majesty was welcomed by volunteer Lifeboat Operations Manager, Denis Brophy MBE.
Denis, a RNLI volunteer since 1967, had the privilege of introducing His Majesty to other dedicated volunteers, including Boathouse Manager and former Head Launcher and crew Les Coe in recognition of his 70 years of service to the RNLI.
Denis said: 'It is both an honour and a privilege as Operations Manager to welcome His Majesty King Charles III, as Patron of the RNLI, leading the charity into its third century of lifesaving, to Walmer lifeboat station to meet our hardworking and dedicated volunteers.'
Inside the boathouse, His Majesty met Walmer RNLI's recent gallantry service awardees, who were presented with The Thanks of The Institution on Vellum at the RNLI AGM last month.
The King also met Launch Authority and Mechanic Tony Evans who has given 50 years' service, and Helm Andy Howland who has dedicated 30 years to saving lives at sea.
One of the RNLI's first female coxswains, Sloane Phillips from Hastings, now navigator and crew, and Ramsgate's youngest coxswain, Becky Cannon, also attended with fellow volunteers from their lifeboat stations. Neighbouring operational crew and fundraisers from Rye Harbour and Margate were also present, representing other towns within the Confederation of Cinque Ports.
Sloane said: 'It is great to be part of this experience, to have the opportunity to meet The King and to represent Hastings. It is 30 years this month since I started volunteering with the RNLI and it has been great to reflect on that journey.'
Becky said: 'I feel tremendously honoured to represent the volunteer RNLI crew at Ramsgate Lifeboat Station. It is a privilege to be presented to His Majesty the King.'
The visit ended with an 'emergency' when His Majesty was shown what happens when the pager sounds as Walmer's crew simulated a launch of their inshore lifeboat to the delight of the children from The Downs Church of England Primary School watching on.
Margate Lifeboat Operations Manager Derek Amos said: 'I am immensely honoured to be invited to meet with His Majesty building on our long-treasured relationship with Queen Elizabeth II who was our much-loved Patron for 70 years. it is a privilege to be representing Margate RNLI and the Cinque Ports on this auspicious occasion.'
Rye Lifeboat Operations Manager, Mark Stephenson said: 'It is an incredible honour to represent Rye Harbour today, I have volunteered in several roles at the station including as shop manager, shore crew and most recently lifeboat operations manager.'
Earlier in the day, The King visited Walmer Castle, the official residence of the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports, and The Queen Mother's Garden. The Queen Mother was Lord Warden between 1978 and 2002 and visited Walmer RNLI Lifeboat Station in July 1992.
A photo of Walmer's last Royal visit 33 years ago was proudly on display for His Majesty to view. When presented to Tony Evans, Tony informed The King that he and his then 6-month-old daughter Hannah were present for that visit too.
Tony said: 'I feel very proud for our station at Walmer to be presented to The King and for me personally to share another royal visit with my daughter Hannah. My son is also a helm and has been part of the station for 20 years. My volunteering journey began at school - I'd always felt an affinity to the sea and so it was a natural progression for me to become part of the RNLI.'
The King has a long history with the RNLI dating back to 7 July 1964 when, as the then Prince of Wales, His Royal Highness accompanied The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and HRH The Princess Royal to Cowes on the Isle of Wight to observe the sea trials of a new Waveney class lifeboat.
Since then, His Majesty has made several visits to RNLI lifeboat stations and sites.
Only last week His Majesty met with volunteers on a visit to Campbeltown in Scotland but today's event in Kent was The King's first official RNLI engagement since becoming Patron in May last year, continuing the tradition of the reigning monarch holding the role ever since the RNLI was founded in 1824.