Duchess of Edinburgh back in the island next month
The Duchess of Edinburgh will return to Guernsey next month, for the first time since she wowed islanders on Liberation Day 2022 in a green dress and danced with Rob ‘Judge’ Rinder at the Specsavers Tea Dance.
She was then the Countess of Wessex and this will be her first visit as the Duchess.
The visit on Monday 12 August is to mark the Association of Sail Training Organisations’ Guernsey-Poole Small Ships Race, inspired by the RNLI’s 200th anniversary. The Duchess is the royal patron of the association.
The race runs from 13 to 15 August from Guernsey to Poole, and involves some 140 young people across 12 boats, which will begin arriving in St Peter Port on Saturday 10 August. She will meet the competitors involved on the day.
The race is open to sail training vessels where at least half the crew are under 25.
The Duchess will also take to the water on one of the boats for a sail in local waters.
The association will also host a reception in the island in the presence of the Duchess and look to establish a legacy from which young islanders can benefit in the future.
‘We are exceptionally fortunate to be hosting this short visit by Her Royal Highness in her capacity as patron of an organisation that is particularly relevant to these islands,’ said Lt-Governor Lt General Richard Cripwell.
‘The sea is a wonderful environment for developing leadership and resilience in young people, and Guernsey provides the perfect setting for this event.’
The Association of Sail Training Organisations is made up of 31 sailing charities, with a fleet of more than 50 sail training vessels. Each year, its members enable more than 12,000 young people and people with additional needs to undertake life-changing adventures afloat.
‘This race was inspired by the RNLI’s 200th anniversary with the aim of raising awareness of the impact on, and value to, young people of Sail Training and adventure afloat generally,’ said ASTO chief executive Kerry McMillan.
‘We know that Guernsey provided crews for sail training passages like this one in the past. We’re very much hoping to reignite that relationship with the Bailiwick's young people.’
