Princess Royal recognises vital work of Cornwall charities

THE Princess Royal visited two locations in Cornwall on Tuesday, recognising the work of charities supporting naval families and volunteers helping to keep people safe along the county’s coastline.

At China Fleet Country Club in Saltash, Princess Anne met representatives of The Naval Children’s Charity and heard about its work supporting children of serving and veteran Royal Navy personnel.

Her Royal Highness became the charity’s patron in March 2025, following more than 70 years of royal patronage by her late mother, Queen Elizabeth II.

During the visit, she heard directly from people supported by the charity before meeting guests and unveiling a plaque commemorating the occasion.

She was also presented with flowers by charity triage caseworker Emily Aston, who had met the Princess and presented her with flowers 36 years earlier, when she was four years old and her father was a serving submariner in Helensburgh.

Charity chief executive Clare Scherer MBE said the visit provided an opportunity to highlight the organisation’s work and the importance of supporting children and families connected to the Navy.

Princess Anne also visited the National Coastwatch Institution lookout at St Agnes Head, where volunteers maintain a daily visual and radio watch over a rugged stretch of Cornwall’s north coast.

As the charity’s Royal Patron, she was briefed on the risks facing people along the coastline, the station’s work with HM Coastguard and the challenges of operating the lookout off-grid.

The station provides coverage from Trevose Head to Godrevy, as well as the South West Coast Path. Following storm damage to equipment in early 2024, a fundraising campaign and support from Cornwall Council’s Prosperity Fund raised more than £17,000 to restore the lookout to full operational capacity.

Her Royal Highness later met volunteers and supporters at Driftwood Spars in St Agnes, where she presented long-service awards to Helen Simpson, for 20 years’ service, Stephen Barry for 10 years, and Rachel Ellis and Kathy Cullingworth for five years each.

Station manager Mark Weston said the visit was a proud moment for the volunteers and recognition of their work helping keep people safe along Cornwall’s coast.