HRH The Princess Royal, accompanied by the Deputy Lieutenant of Hampshire Oliver Crosthwaite-Eyre, visited the 55th Southampton International Boat Show today (Friday 13 September), marking a significant highlight of the event’s opening day.

Hosted by British Marine, who own and operate the show, Her Royal Highness had the opportunity to meet with a number of exhibitors and witness global debuts, get out on the water, as well as explore the latest designs and technical innovations in the boating world.

Her Royal Highness’s visit underscores the key themes at the heart of this year’s show and the marine industry’s progress in terms of its ongoing transition towards sustainability, its impressive contribution to the UK economy and its emerging talent that will drive its future success.

Her Royal Highness’s visit began at the Sunseeker stand where she was welcomed onboard the brand new Sunseeker Ocean 156, for an exclusive tour. Accompanied by Sunseeker’s Operations Director, Steven Timms and Human Resources Director, Sian Dodds, Her Royal Highness was guided through the innovative features of this new model which is having its global debut at Southampton. Steven commented: “We are incredibly proud to launch the Sunseeker Ocean 156 in the presence of The Princess Royal. This global debut signifies years of dedication, craftsmanship, and our constant commitment to setting new benchmarks in the industry.”

In line with the show’s focus on sustainable innovation, Her Royal Highness then enjoyed an exclusive outing onboard the new Optima-e10, a fully electric 10m yacht. Donning her mandatory lifejacket, The Princess toured the marina aboard the cutting-edge vessel with an impressive 150nm range, highlighting its innovative design and eco-friendly technology. David Kendall, CEO of Optima Yachts, shared his excitement: “It’s a privilege to have Her Royal Highness experience our all-electric craft and share the vision behind our pioneering electric yachts.”

The Princess then proceeded to the Rustler 41MY, the very first motor yacht from the Rustler brand which is also making its global debut at the show. Escorted by Rustler Yachts’ co-owners, Nick Offord and Adrian Jones. Nick remarked, “It was a pleasure to show Her Royal Highness the new Rustler 41MY and share the tradition of quality and performance that has defined Rustler Yachts for decades.”

Continuing her tour, Her Royal Highness visited Cockwells Modern & Classic Boatbuilding, where she was introduced to Founder and Sales and Technical Director, Dave Cockwell. Known for blending traditional boatbuilding skills with cutting-edge technology, Cockwells showcased their stylish Duchy 27 and classic Duchy 35.

Dave commented: “It’s a privilege to welcome Her Royal Highness and to present the passion and precision behind our range of British-built, luxury Duchy Motor Launches, Hardy Motor Yachts, and superyacht tenders. At Cockwells, we are proud to uphold Britain’s rich maritime heritage while pushing the boundaries of modern boatbuilding.”

Image: Paul Wyeth

At the WetWheels Foundation berth, The Princess Royal, who is a Patron of the charity, chatted to Founder Geoff Holt MBE, whose organisation provides accessible boating opportunities for people with disabilities.

Geoff expressed his gratitude, saying: “WetWheels is about ensuring that everyone, regardless of ability, can experience the joy of being on the water. Having Her Royal Highness visit our stand is a testament to the importance of inclusion in the marine world.”

Her Royal Highness concluded her visit by meeting with British Marine representatives, young designers, apprentices, and key manufacturers at a private reception, where a thrilling on water stunt show entertained guests in the background.

Lesley Robinson, CEO of British Marine, reflected on the day’s events, saying, “It was an absolute privilege to welcome Her Royal Highness to the Southampton International Boat Show. Her presence highlights the significance of this event, not only for the marine industry but for the broader community. It was particularly inspiring for our apprentices and young designers, whose talent and dedication offer great hope for the future.

“Today has been a proud moment for everyone, from showcasing the latest innovations in sustainability to celebrating the craftsmanship that fuels our industry.”

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