THE longstanding operations manager at Newquay Lifeboat Station was invited to attend a special event at Buckingham Palace to mark the centenary of Queen Elizabeth II’s birth.

Gareth Horner MBE was welcomed by Their Majesties The King and Queen to commemorate the legacy of Queen Elizabeth II, who was the longest serving RNLI Patron, a role Her Late Majesty held for 70 years.

The reception formed part of a wider programme of events held across the UK to mark the centenary of Queen Elizabeth II’s birth, celebrating Her Late Majesty’s life, service and lasting impact on organisations and communities nationwide.

Mr Horner was one four RNLI representatives, one from each UK nation, who were nominated by the charity in recognition of their dedication and service to the lifesaving charity.

He has volunteered with the RNLI in various roles for more than 50 years, with 27 of those as active sea going crew. He was presented an MBE by HRH The Princess Royal in 2021 for voluntary services to the lifesaving charity.

Mr Horner said: “I was delighted and proud to attend today and to be selected from among so many deserving volunteers to represent the RNLI as a guest on this occasion.

“To acknowledge the continued and invaluable patronage afforded to the RNLI by His Majesty The King is a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

Queen Elizabeth II was a much-loved member of the RNLI family for seven decades, during which time the charity’s lifeboat crews and lifeguards saved 65,979 lives.

The late Queen’s commitment to the lifesaving charity saw Queen Elizabeth II attend many RNLI occasions and recognise the efforts of thousands of RNLI volunteers during visits to lifeboat stations, through the national Honours awards, and the four Jubilee medals issued to RNLI crew in 1977, 2002, 2012, and 2022 to mark the Platinum Jubilee.

Queen Elizabeth II’s connection with the RNLI included a number of significant milestones, including the opening of the RNLI College in Poole on 24 July 2004, accompanied by HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and RNLI President, HRH The Duke of Kent.

Queen Elizabeth II’s final official engagement on behalf of the RNLI was on 17 May 2013, when The Late Queen unveiled a plaque at St Ives Lifeboat Station in Cornwall and met the volunteer lifeboat crew and fundraisers.

The other RNLI representatives who were chosen to attend the reception included Matty McLeod, a lifeguard supervisor in North Pembrokeshire, Wales.

Christine Collins, a lifeboat press Officer and fundraiser at Kirkcudbright in Scotland and Gary Jones, a lifeboat operations manager at Enniskillen in Northern Ireland.

RNLI chief executive Peter Sparkes said: “It was a great honour for the RNLI to be represented at Buckingham Palace as part of this national occasion.

“Queen Elizabeth II’s unwavering support to the RNLI meant a great deal to our volunteers and staff, and the reception provided a fitting opportunity to reflect on The Late Queen’s extraordinary dedication to saving lives at sea.”