On 13th May 2019, HRH Prince Edward, 2nd Duke of Kent, celebrated fifty years as President of the Royal National Lifeboat Instution. As part of the celebrations he visited North Berwick and Dunbar RNLI two years ago on 10th May 2019.

His Royal Highness, Prince Edward, Duke of Kent

Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, KG, GCMG, GCVO, CD, ADC (Edward George Nicholas Paul Patrick; born 09 October 1935) is a member of the British royal family. He is a first cousin of Queen Elizabeth II through their fathers, Prince George, Duke of Kent, and King George VI. Because his mother, Princess Marina of Greece and Denmark was a first cousin of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Edward is both a first cousin once removed and second cousin to the Prince of Wales and his siblings.

He has held the title of Duke of Kent since the age of six, after the death of his father in a plane crash in 1942. Edward carries out engagements on behalf of the Queen and is involved with over 140 charitable organisations. He is president of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, presenting the trophies to the Wimbledon champion and runner-up, and served as the United Kingdom’s Special Representative for International Trade and Investment, retiring in 2001. He is president of The Scout Association, the Royal United Services Institute, and the Royal Institution of Great Britain, and since 1967 Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England. Much of his charity work revolves around war remembrance, technology, and the growth of British industry.

The RNLI

The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates over 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and, in a normal year, more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 142,700 lives.

Succeeding both his father and mother in 1969 when he became President of the charity, The Duke regularly visits lifeboat stations nationwide and has attended many RNLI events in support of the 24/7 search and rescue service.

In those 50 years, His Royal Highness has seen the RNLI go through some major changes, from new lifeboats with greater lifesaving capability, to the introduction of lifeboats on the Thames and lifeguards on beaches.

The Duke was involved in a significant change for the charity in 1976 when he officially opened the new Headquarters for the RNLI in Poole, Dorset.

It was at the Headquarters in 2005 when His Royal Highness attended the naming of a new all-weather lifeboat, The Duke of Kent. This Severn class lifeboat is part of the RNLI’s relief fleet, used to cover stations when their lifeboats are not operational.

The Duke, as he has done throughout his 50 years as RNLI President, met with volunteers at several Scottish lifeboat stations this week. He listened to stories from volunteers in fundraising and education along with rescue stories from crew members past and present.

Accompanying His Royal Highness this week was Rear Admiral Roger Lockwood, chair of the RNLI Scottish Council.

Roger said: “It has been my honour over the last two days to accompany The Duke on visits to the Lifeboat Stations on the east coast of Scotland. His 50 years as the President of the RNLI show themselves in his very clear and deep understanding of what the RNLI achieves together with the importance of the volunteer ethos of the Institution. There have been many changes in the RNLI since The Duke assumed the Presidency, but what has not changed is the courage and selflessness of the lifeboat crews and the dedication and enthusiasm of their supporters, be it preparing the lifeboat for launch or raising the funds to allow them to do so. The members of the visited stations were delighted to welcome His Royal Highness as he marks his half century as President“.

Echoing the views of Roger is Paul Boissier, RNLI Chief Executive, who commended The Duke’s ambassadorial work with the charity.

Paul said: “As our president, His Royal Highness has provided unwavering support to the RNLI for almost 50 years. An incredible achievement. He has been a true advocate and ambassador for all RNLI volunteers. The Duke has visited almost all of the RNLI lifeboat stations around our coast and attended countless lifeboat naming and station opening events, thanking hundreds of crew members, fundraisers, supporters and staff. Our president’s warmth, generosity and understanding of our lifesaving work is incredibly valued by this charity, the time His Royal Highness spends with each volunteer is never forgotten.”

During his visits to RNLI lifeboat stations, His Royal Highness has connected with many volunteers whose courage and dedication will ensure the charity continues to save lives at sea for many a year to come.

The Queen’s Helicopter Flight (TQHF)

The Royal Household S-76C++ helicopter

The Queen’s Helicopter Flight is part of The Queen’s Private Secretary’s department of the Royal Household, and is tasked by the Royal Travel Office at Buckingham Palace. From 1998 to 2009, it used a single maroon Sikorsky S-76C+ twin-engined helicopter, registered  G-XXEA in honour of G-AEXX, the Airspeed Envoy that the Queen’s uncle, the Prince of Wales first flew in the King’s Flight. The helicopter, the first airframe dedicated solely to royal use, entered service on 21 December 1998. The S-76 is a commercial type widely used around the world, although the Queen’s helicopter is only fitted with six seats for more comfort.

On 4 November 2009, Sikorsky announced the delivery of a new S-76C++ helicopter to TQHF. This helicopter, registration G-XXEB, is capable of a maximum speed of 178 mph and a ferry range of 400 miles (640 km) with a 30-minute fuel reserve. An Agusta A109S, registration G-XXEC, was operated on long-term lease to TQHF,  and a second Sikorsky S-76C, G-XXED, is owned by TQHF, based at RAF Odiham.

Family Tree

Dunbar RNLI