The Princess Royal has touched down in Waveney today to visit two yacht clubs.
The Princess Royal received a warm welcome when she visited two Waveney yacht clubs.
Princess Anne watched the Squib National Championships at the Royal Norfolk and Suffolk Yacht Club (RNSYC) before moving on to Waveney and Oulton Broad Yacht Club (WOBYC), where she officially opened the club's new £100,000 extension.
The Princess's helicopter touched down at Elm Tree Community Primary School shortly after 11.30am, where she was met by the Lord Lieutenant of Suffolk, The Lord Tollemache, and Suffolk Police chief constable Douglas Paxton.
Upon arrival at the RNSYC, she was greeted by the commodore Anthony Knights, who introduced her to club members and escorted her during her visit.
The Princess was taken out to sea north of Lowestoft on board a brand new Elan 42 motor cruiser, where she was able to watch the third squib race in the series for the Royal Corinthian Plate.
After returning to shore, the Princess viewed a display of the oldest and newest Broads One Design yachts, a design first commissioned by members of
the RNSYC more than 100 years ago.
Five-year-old Eliie Thwaites-Cole, daughter of skipper Mr Thwaites, presented the Princess with a posy of flowers before she left for her next engagement in Oulton Broad.
Mr Knights said he felt proud to welcome the Princess again.
He said: 'The Lord Lieutenant complimented me saying the Princess Royal has had a wonderful day and thoroughly enjoyed herself and he also said the organisation was second to none.
'She watched two hours of racing and wasn't bored for a single minute and she also enjoyed the boat she was on.'
He added that a crowd about 200 people had gathered outside the yacht club and cheered the Princess as she left.
The Princess Royal then went on to unveil Waveney and Oulton Broad Yacht Club's (WOBYC) new £100,000 extension.
The yacht club, in Nicholas Everitt Park, shares its facilities with members of Waveney Sailability – an organisation that provides sailing opportunities for people with disabilities.
The new extension, funded by Sport England, WOBYC, Waveney Sailability and Sports Unlimited, features a wet room, a disabled toilet and a lift to the first floor bar and club house.
During her visit, the Princess met local dignitaries and spent time talking to members of Waveney Sailability and WOBYC. She also received a posy from three-year-old Jessica-Lily Stanton.
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