The Naval Children’s Charity were delighted to receive a visit from their Patron, HRH The Princess Royal, at the China Fleet Country Club, Saltash on Tuesday 13th October 2026.
The Princess Royal became Patron of The Naval Children’s Charity in March 2025, following many years of Royal Patronage by her mother, Her Majesty the late Queen, who was Royal Patron for over 70 years.
Her Royal Highness was welcomed by Kevin Arnold, Vice Chair, and Clare Scherer MBE, CEO, together with the Lord Lieutenant of Devon & Cornwall, the Mayor, Mayoress and Clerk of Saltash, and the Chair of the China Fleet Trust.
Her Royal Highness and assembled guests received a presentation on the work of the Charity which included hearing first hand from some of those supported by the NCC. She then met the assembled guests and unveiled a Plaque commemorating her visit.
She was then presented with flowers by Emily Aston (nee Vinton), a Triage Caseworker with the NCC. This was of particular significance as Emily presented HRH The Princess Royal with flowers some 36 years ago when she was just 4 years old, in Helensburgh, where her father was a serving Submariner. At that time Emily admitted she had been so nervous she couldn’t remember what HRH had said to her. Hopefully this time her memory will be better!
Her Royal Highness has a long history of supporting military families and promoting the well-being of children. The Princess Royal’s patronage of The Naval Children’s Charity highlights the Charity’s vital work and helps to ensure that children of Naval personnel receive the support they need to thrive.
CEO of The Naval Children’s Charity, Clare Scherer MBE said:
“On behalf of all at the Naval Children’s Charity we offer our warmest thanks to Her Royal Highness for her visit to learn more about our work. The Princess Royal has taken great interest, over the years, in the wellbeing of our families and Her Royal Highness’s commitment to the charities that she serves is outstanding.
The event also highlighted the collaboration that exists across the Royal Navy charitable sector in support of serving personnel, veterans and their families. Hosted by the China Fleet Trust at China Fleet Country Club, the celebration demonstrated how organisations with a shared commitment to naval beneficiaries work together to provide complementary support and maximise their collective impact.
Rear Admiral John Weale CB OBE, Chair of Trustees, China Fleet Trust said:
“We were honoured to welcome Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal to China Fleet and to host this celebration of the Naval Children’s Charity’s outstanding work. The event reflects the strong collaboration that exists between charities serving the Royal Navy family, with organisations coming together to support many of the same beneficiaries. By working in partnership, we can extend our collective reach and help ensure naval children, families and veterans receive the support they need throughout their lives.”
The Naval Children’s Charity has been helping the children of serving and veteran Naval personnel for 200 years. The Princess Royal’s patronage is a great endorsement of our work helping to make a lasting difference to our children and young people’s lives.
