The Royal Naval Sailing Association (RNSA) welcomed Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal to the Andrew Simpson Centre, Portsmouth, on 7 September 2026, where she saw the delivery of RNSA’s Sail Together programme. Her Royal Highness, attending in her capacity as Patron and Admiral of the Association, was accompanied by His Majesty’s Deputy Lieutenant, Commodore Richard Powell, and welcomed by RNSA’s Chief Executive, Commodore Philip Warwick.
During the visit, The Princess Royal met Royal Navy personnel and their families, as well as key partners and supporters of RNSA’s work to make sailing and its benefits as accessible as possible to the Naval community. Sail Together is central to this work and is now in its third year of funding from Greenwich Hospital.
By the end of 2026, 1,350 young people and 200 adults will have benefited from free RNSA courses delivered across the UK by RNSA’s strategic partner, the Andrew Simpson Foundation. The resulting RYA qualifications and onward pathways are intended to build a lasting passion for sailing, develop lifelong skills and give something back to naval families.
As The Princess Royal departed, she was presented with a posy of flowers by Miss Mia Aldous, one of RNSA’s Youth Crew participants.
Mr Philip Warwick, Chief Executive of RNSA, said:
“It was a privilege to introduce Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal to so many of our beneficiaries, supporters and partners, and to highlight the importance of RNSA’s Sail Together programme to naval families. The visit gives RNSA renewed impetus to continue making a real difference to people’s lives and supporting the Royal Navy.”
Mrs Deirdre Mills, Director of Greenwich Hospital, said:
“It was a privilege to meet Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal and to explain how Greenwich Hospital has worked with the RNSA on their Sail Together programme, alongside a wide range of other major projects in support of the naval community.”
Mr Richard Percy, Chief Executive of the Andrew Simpson Foundation, said:
“It was a pleasure to host Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal at our Portsmouth Centre and to showcase the close partnership we share with RNSA, as well as the opportunities we are creating together for naval families and the wider Portsmouth community.”
To learn more about the opportunities offered by Sail Together and Go Sailing, please visit: Homepage - RNSA Youth Crew