The Merchant Navy Welfare Board (MNWB) is thrilled to announce that Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal will be our new Patron.
The Princess Royal joins the MNWB and will help champion the work we do to improve the lives of seafarers and fishers.
It’s the first time in MNWB’s 77-year history it has had royal patronage.
Stuart Rivers, CEO of MNWB which is the umbrella charity for the UK Merchant Navy and fishing fleets that represents 47 UK maritime charities, says it’s a proud moment.
“We are honoured and privileged to welcome The Princess Royal as our new Patron,” he said.
“This is a landmark moment for the charity having a royal Patron for the first time since the Board formed in 1948.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to meet The Princess Royal at maritime functions. Her unwavering passion for the maritime sector is so evident, making her a leading expert on maritime subjects.
“With her wealth of experience in maritime and the charitable sector, we look forward to welcoming her to our upcoming flagship events.”
HRH is involved with over 300 charities, organisations and military regiments in the UK and overseas; she devotes a large part of her working life to official engagements and has one of the busiest working schedules of any member of the Royal Family.
She has a long association with the Royal Navy. She holds the rank of Admiral as Chief Commandant for Women in the Royal Navy and has special relationships with HMS Talent and HMS Albion. The Princess Royal is also Commodore-in-Chief for Portsmouth.
The Princess Royal takes over from the long-serving John Prescott, who served as MNWB’s Patron for nine years before losing his battle with Alzheimer’s in November 2024.
During his time at the Board, Lord Prescott was engaged with the work of the MNWB in its mission to improve the lives of seafarers across the world. Having served in the Merchant Navy and then as Secretary of State for Transport and Deputy Prime Minister, his achievements in supporting the Merchant Navy are many.
MNWB Chair Capt. Andrew Cassels said:
“Lord Prescott achieved many great things for British shipping and was a staunch supporter of the maritime sector and, specifically, the work we do to improve the lives of seafarers. He is hugely missed.”
“We now welcome The Princess Royal into the role as Patron who we look forward to working with over the many years to come.”
