On Monday 31st July 2023, HRH Princess Anne and Sir Timothy Laurence visited Cowes Week on Royal Navy Day to see the racing and support the Royal Navy presence at Cowes Week. They met the Race Officers and Cowes Week officials running the racing and then were entertained on the motor launch Warrior by the Commodore of the Royal Yacht Squadron, to watch the racing out in the Solent. Windy conditions and rainy squalls made for interesting viewing.
HRH and Sir Timothy then visited the Naval Guardship HMS Tyne on her mooring and met the Commander of the Ship and his crew and had a tour of the ship. They visited the Naval Stand on Cowes Esplanade to meet the Staff who have been working there all week.
They met Caroline Senior (Director of Spinlock Ltd, recent winners of the Kings Award for Innovation) who explained the innovative ALTO and presented them both with anew ALTO buoyancy aid & a deck safety vest.
Finally HRH took the salute for the march past of the Royal Marines Band supported by Cowes and Ryde Sea Cadets who marched from Cowes Yacht Haven to Holy Trinity Church before attending a service at Holy Trinity. This service was to bless the plaques raised in memory of both Her Majesty the late Queen Elizabeth II and HRH Prince Philip. The Royal Marines Quintet provided the music and the service was officiated by Rev Amanda Collinson. Before departure HRH and Sir Timothy attended a reception at the Royal Yacht Squadron and presented the Polly Birch Memorial Trophy to Thomas Leather of Cowes Enterprise College before taking the salute for the Grande Finale of the Royal Marines Corps of Drums.