The Princess Royal paid tribute to royal history as she helped the Sea Cadet Corp celebrate their 80th anniversary in Northern Ireland last week.
Princess Anne, who currently serves as the Admiral of the Sea Cadet Corps, attended the ceremony in Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland, on 2 November. In a speech, the royal spoke of her paternal grandfather, King George VI, and the units he met during a visit to Belfast in 1942 and tied it into the evolution of the Sea Cadet Corps’ professionalism today.
According to a press release, Princess Anne “praised Sea Cadets volunteers who give up their time to instil the essential qualities of self-discipline and respect while granting unique opportunities for fun and adventure.”
The Sea Cadet Corps shared details of Princess Anne’s visit on their social media accounts, writing: “Our Admiral, The Princess Royal and dignitaries were welcomed by an impressive display from over 200 cadets parading.
“After inspecting the Guard, Her Royal Highness praised cadets for their ‘polished and professional display’ in an uplifting speech reflecting on the importance of Sea Cadets’ work in Northern Ireland. BZ to all involved!”
The Lord Lieutenant’s Cadet for Belfast also spoke at the event, where Able Cadet Sargent revealed: “[My unit] has provided me with a lifetime of memories and numerous skills to equip me for adult life.”
Princess Anne inspected a display of the Royal Guard in full uniform during her visit. Over 200 cadets were part of the anniversary celebrations, and in total, there are 12 units comprised of over 220 cadets in Northern Ireland.
Princess Anne became Admiral of the Sea Cadet Corps in 2021. Across the United Kingdom, there are over 400 units in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, with units also based in Malta and Bermuda. The earliest unit was founded in 1856, and Queen Victoria provided funds for uniforms.
