Princess Anne visits Royal Yacht Squadron in Cowes days after Prince Philip’s death

Princess Anne reminisced about sailing in her younger years as she made her first in-person appearance at an official event since her father’s death today.

The Princess Royal, 70, cut a sombre figure today as she visited Britain’s most prestigious yacht club, the Royal Yacht Squadron, in Cowes on the Isle of Wight – five days after her father Prince Philip passed away aged 99.    

The visit will be particularly poignant for Anne because her father Prince Philip was a long-time member of the Royal Yacht Squadron, a former commodore, and Admiral until his death last week.

She spoke fondly of her ‘early memories of sailing’ at the west Cowes-based club and remembered learning to sail on Prince Philip’s Bloodhound yacht, before taking time to speak to senior members and a group of aspiring young sailors. 

Princess Anne cruised extensively with Prince Philip on their yacht Bloodhound before it was sold in 1969 (pictured, aboard the boat in 1964)

The Princess Royal, 70, was seen wearing sunglasses and a black coat on her first public appearance since the Duke of Edinburgh’s death

The royal wore dark sunglasses for much of the visit to the Royal Yacht Squadron today, where she was offered a tour of the boat and spoke with staff.  

She paired the dark coat with a black pair of trousers and donned black leather gloves for the occasion. 

Asked by club commodore Jamie Sheldon about the vessels she had sailed on, Anne said: ‘I started really with Bloodhound (a yacht). I then regressed to dinghy sailing for a bit.’  

She smiled as she spoke with some of the younger sailors and asked about their sailing experience.

Princess Anne smiled as she spoke with some of the younger sailors and asked about their sailing experience

The Princess Royal opted to wear ‘Team GB’ sunglasses during the visit to the Isle of Wight earlier today 

The royal appeared enthusiastic as she spoke with members of the Royal Yacht Squadron, days after her father’s death

The Royal Yacht Squadron, which started the yacht races in 1826 that eventually evolved into Cowes Week, has long had close links to the Royal Family

The Royal Yacht Squadron, which started the yacht races in 1826 that eventually evolved into Cowes Week, has long had close links to the Royal Family.

Famous past members include Nelson’s captain at Trafalgar, Admiral Sir Thomas Hardy.

Prime Minister Edward Heath, a successful yachtsman, was controversially rejected by the Squadron in the 1970s.

The princess left the RYS on a boat called ‘Warrior’, before arriving at Royal Victoria Yacht Club in Fishbourne around 1.15pm. 

The Princess Royal unveiled a plaque during her visit to the Royal Victoria Yacht Club, on the Isle of Wight before signing a guest book 

During the visit, Anne spoke fondly of her ‘early memories of sailing’ at the west Cowes-based club and remembered learning to sail

 The mother-of-two cut a sombre figure as she visited the Royal Yacht Squadron in Cowes on the Isle of Wight

The royal donned a life jacket as she sailed from the Royal Yacht Squadron to the Royal Victoria Yacht Club

The princess left the RYS on a boat called ‘Warrior’, before arriving at Royal Victoria Yacht Club in Fishbourne around 1.15pm

Prince Philip was an active member of the club, hosting an annual cocktail party on board for Isle of Wight dignitaries and public servants as part of his lifelong commitment to encouraging all those who served the community in any role. 

On Sunday, Anne – the Queen, 94, and Prince Philip’s only daughter and second eldest child – issued a moving statement admitting she was ‘not ready’ for her father’s passing. 

Describing Prince Philip as her ‘teacher, supporter and critic’, she said: ‘You know it’s going to happen but you are never really ready.

‘My father has been my teacher, my supporter and my critic, but mostly it is his example of a life well lived and service freely given that I most wanted to emulate. 

‘His ability to treat every person as an individual in their own right with their own skills comes through all the organisations with which he was involved.

‘I regard it as an honour and a privilege to have been asked to follow in his footsteps and it has been a pleasure to have kept him in touch with their activities.

‘I know how much he meant to them, in the UK, across the Commonwealth and in the wider world.

‘I would like to emphasise how much the family appreciate the messages and memories of so many people whose lives he also touched. We will miss him but he leaves a legacy which can inspire us all.’ 

Anne is among the senior royals who are coming together to ensure the Queen will not be left to ‘walk alone’ following the death of her beloved husband of 73 years and is accompanied by a member of the family on future public engagements.  

As part of her visit, the Princess Royal viewed  a Youth Training Programme and spoke with members of staff 

Anne, 70, was back to work today – her first royal engagement since her father, the Duke of Edinburgh, died in his sleep at Windsor Castle last week

In a statement issued following his death, Anne said it was a ‘honour and a privilege’ to have been asked to follow in her father’s footsteps

Princess Anne looks up as she visits the Royal Yacht Squadron in Cowes on the Isle of Wight today

Anne is among the senior royals who are coming together to ensure the Queen will not be left to ‘walk alone’ following the death of her beloved husband of 73 years

Sources stressed that Her Majesty, who says Prince Philip’s death has left a ‘huge void’ in her life, will fulfil as many commitments as possible once the two weeks of official mourning ends on April 22 – the day after her 95th birthday.

They point out that she has always undertaken solo engagements, both before and after her husband officially retired in 2017. 

But it is understood there is a concerted effort under way to ensure she has more support in the future. 

Sources stressed that Her Majesty, who says Prince Philip’s death has left a ‘huge void’ in her life, will fulfil as many commitments as possible once the two weeks of official mourning ends on April 22 – the day after her 95th birthday. Pictured: Anne today

The Princess Royal and the Duke of Edinburgh shared a special bond and a ‘just get on with it’ approach to life (pictured together at the London Olympics in 2012)