Princess Royal Visits Surrey on 7th February

11th March 2025 | Royal Visits to Surrey

Princess Royal Visits Surrey on 7th February

Dennett Boat Builders of Chertsey in Surrey welcomed HRH Princess Royal for a landmark official visit on 7 February, recognising Dennett’s services to British heritage as specialists in endangered, historic boats.

The small, family-run yard is known worldwide for restoring all traditionally-built boats, but in particular they are known for their restoration and maintenance of the surviving vessels known as Dunkirk Little Ships. A motley armada of about 850 private boats which sailed from England to Dunkirk in northern France in Britains darkest hour, helping to rescue more than 336,000 British and other Allied soldiers trapped on the Dunkirk beaches. This May marks 85 years since Operation Dynamo and the yard is a hive of activity as Dennetts are working around the clock to get their client’s boats shipshape for the 85th Commemorative Cruise to Dunkirk to mark this occasion.

HRH has a tour of Dennetts boatyard in Laleham to see the craftsmanship involved in the various restoration and building projects

It was a family affair, as owners Stephen and Heather Dennett were joined by Stephen’s dad Michael Dennett (aged 82) who founded the business over 65 years ago and son Elliott Dennett (aged 11), who shares his parent’s love of the traditional boat world. Kevin Finn (Commodore) and Howard Brooks (Vice Commodore) were present, representing the Association of Dunkirk Little Ships, as well as the usual full crew of boatbuilders. The tour of the yard took in key vessels including nine Dunkirk Little ships in various states of restoration. Of particular interest was the almost-complete 78ft, 1934-built Camper and Nicholson motor yacht Llanthony and 1912 ex-Admiralty pinnace Sundowner famed not only for her Dunkirk story, but her owner Charles Lightoller and his links to the ill-fated Titanic. Other key vessels were Jolly Britt, an open Jolly boat used on HMY Royal Britannia and a 1907-built, 25ft canoe of great elegance, aptly named Princess Beatrice, belonging to the Rose Toop Collection. At the end of the visit, all present gathered to watch Her Royal Highness unveil a plaque commemorating her visit,

HRH The Princess Royal then visited D’Oyly Carte Island to support its restoration which brings together the house, gardens and community whilst simultaneously preserving a historic building with such a rich history of British music success and culture.

HRH visits the unique Island in the Thames near Weybridge – Images Approved by the Palace.

The visit was to celebrate bringing the island back to life having been empty for 12 years during which time negligence, squatters and vandals did their worst. In the late 1800’s the most prominent music impresario of that century, Richard D’Oyly Carte, created a global business with his wife and partners WS Gilbert & Sir Athur Sullivan. They created their famous comic operas, the popular music of the time, and initially performed them at the Savoy Theatre. Regular visitors to the island included, Gilbert, Sullivan, JM Barry, Oscar Wilde and Whistler, to name a few. The activities at the island are entirely in keeping with what the island was intended for in 1890 and have resulted in a local community enjoying this jewel in Weybridge’s rich crown of history and culture. A further benefit comes when 30 plus people are directly or indirectly employed from the local community which was precisely what the King experienced at Dumfries House.

The plans for the island include an upgrade to D’Oyly’s to facilitate more private events for the local community and the creation of a Red Squirrel sanctuary on the island.

HRH then visited the Dorking Headquarters of Specialist Group International. Her visit celebrated a significant milestone for SGI—the 30th anniversary since the company’s founding. The royal visit recognises the company’s reputation for outstanding service in areas including specialist rescue, underwater search, water safety, and specialist security. Their work supports the emergency services, government agencies, and the public at large, underscoring SGI’s role as a national leader in specialist response capabilities.