Princess Royal commissions shrimper owned by Lowestoft trust

As part of her visit, Princess Anne commissioned the boat Horace & Hannah, a 1906 Great Yarmouth shrimper which has recently been rescued and refurbished by the Excelsior Trust.

Princess Anne visited The Old Custom House on Ipswich's Waterfront. (Image: Charlotte Bond, Newsquest)

The commissioning event took place at The Old Custom House, at Associated British Port's (ABP) Port of Ipswich.

The Princess Royal is Excelsior Trust's Centenary Patron, having commissioned the Lowestoft sailing smack Excelsior in 1988.

The sail training vessel has since taken more than ten thousand young people to sea.

Before unveiling the Horace & Hannah plaque, she said: "Thank you for your continued enthusiasm for maritime heritage."

Princess Anne recommissioned the Horace & Hannah for the Excelsior Trust. (Image: Charlotte Bond, Newsquest)

She added that she was "delighted" to be invited to the event, to "make sure that skillset continues to exist, not forgeting the value it has in the future, nevermind the past."

Princess Anne on her visit to Ipswich. Picture: Charlotte Bond (Image: Charlotte Bond, Newsquest)

Princess Anne unveils the plaque on Ipswich Waterfront with Excelsior Chair Jamie Campbell. Picture: Charlotte Bond (Image: Charlotte Bond, Newsquest)

Excelsior Chair Jamie Campbell said: "It was a happy event, despite the weather.

"She knew her subject, she enjoys boats and I'm sure everyone feels that all their considerable amount of work was worthwhile."

Princess Anne unveiled a plaque for Horace & Hannah, on behalf of the Excelsior Trust. (Image: Charlotte Bond, Newsquest)

John Mallet from the trust with the plaque. Picture: Charlotte Bond (Image: Charlotte Bond)

 The Excelsior Trust's refit manager Karol Petryka said: "I told her about how I've trained up new skippers."

"It was nice to speak with her and she seemed in good spirits."

Princess Anne was hosted by the Deputy Lieutenant of Suffolk, pictures here with members of the Sea Cadets. (Image: Charlotte Bond, Newsquest)

Laurence Vulliamy was a trustee of the Excelsior Trust until last year and he spoke about going out to sea.

He said: "We asked her to be patron of our centenary, which was the year before last, and I'm so pleased that she agreed to come today to recommission Horace & Hannah."

Supporter Isabel Cator has a special family tie to the Excelsior, as her father was key in helping to get people on board in the 80s.

She said: "My husband mentioned to Princess Anne that we had met on the boat and she thought that was a great thing."