Four Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) volunteers and staff have today (21 April) been welcomed by Their Majesties The King and Queen to a special event at Buckingham Palace, marking the Centenary of Queen Elizabeth II’s birth.
The special event commemorated the legacy of Queen Elizabeth II, who was the longest serving RNLI Patron, a role Her Late Majesty held for 70 years.
RNLI Chief Executive Peter Sparkes said: ‘It was a great honour for the RNLI to be represented at Buckingham Palace as part of this national occasion. Queen Elizabeth II’s unwavering support to the RNLI meant a great deal to our volunteers and staff, and the reception provided a fitting opportunity to reflect on The Late Queen’s extraordinary dedication to saving lives at sea.’
The four RNLI representatives, one from each UK nation, were nominated by the charity in recognition of their dedication and service to the lifesaving charity.
Gareth Horner MBE, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Newquay, has volunteered with the RNLI in various roles for more than 50 years, with 27 of those as active sea going crew. He was awarded an MBE by HRH The Princess Royal in 2021 for voluntary services to the lifesaving charity.
Gareth said: ‘I was delighted and proud to attend today and to be selected from among so many deserving volunteers to represent the RNLI as a guest on this occasion. To acknowledge the continued and invaluable patronage afforded to the RNLI by His Majesty The King is a once in a lifetime opportunity.’
Also attending was Matty McLeod, Lifeguard Supervisor in North Pembrokeshire, Wales who has been part of the RNLI for 12 years. This year marks 25 years of RNLI lifeguarding, a milestone for the charity across the UK and Channel Islands. Growing up on the coast and becoming a keen surfer, Matty has always had a strong interest in water safety and helping people around the coastline.
Matty said: ‘I feel very grateful to have attended such a prestigious occasion and represent Wales and West RNLI lifeguards in their 25th anniversary year.’
Christine Collins, Lifeboat Press Officer and Fundraiser at Kirkcudbright in Scotland, attended after being nominated for her fundraising efforts for her lifeboat station appeal, which has now reached £150,000 towards the build of their new station. This year also marks Christine’s 20th anniversary as a volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer.
Christine said: It’s a real honour to attend as part of RNLI Scotland. Alongside my role as Press Officer, I’ve been proud to support local fundraising efforts for many years, helping our community raise vital funds for the lifeboat station and the lifesaving work of the RNLI.’
Gary Jones, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Enniskillen, Northern Ireland, has been involved with the lifesaving charity since 2001 and was influential in setting up the inshore lifeboat station on Lough Erne.
Gary said: ‘I was delighted and very proud today to be able to represent the organisation from Northern Ireland.’
The reception formed part of a wider programme of events held across the UK to mark the centenary of Queen Elizabeth II’s birth, celebrating Her Late Majesty’s life, service and lasting impact on organisations and communities nationwide.
Queen Elizabeth II was a much loved member of the RNLI family for seven decades, during which time the charity’s lifeboat crews and lifeguards saved 65,979 lives.
The Late Queen’s extraordinary commitment to the lifesaving charity saw Queen Elizabeth II attend many RNLI occasions and recognise the efforts of thousands of RNLI volunteers during visits to lifeboat stations, through the national Honours awards, and the four Jubilee medals issued to RNLI crew in 1977, 2002, 2012, and 2022 to mark the Platinum Jubilee.
Queen Elizabeth II’s connection with the RNLI included a number of significant milestones, including the opening of the RNLI College in Poole on 24 July 2004, accompanied by HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and RNLI President, HRH The Duke of Kent.
Queen Elizabeth II’s final official engagement on behalf of the RNLI was on 17 May 2013, when The Late Queen unveiled a plaque at St Ives Lifeboat Station in Cornwall and met the volunteer lifeboat crew and fundraisers.
