It is with great sorrow that the Master, Wardens, Assistants, Fraternity and all the staff of the Corporation of Trinity House mark the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on 8 September 2022.
Trinity House is proud of its long-standing association with the Royal Family and has been honoured to welcome Her Majesty to a number of Trinity House events throughout the second half of the 20th century and the start of the 21st.
Queen Elizabeth opened the newly rebuilt Trinity House on Trafalgar Day (21 October) in 1953. HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh had been sworn in as an Elder Brother on 6 June 1952, and accompanied Her Majesty on the visit.
Another visit of note was Her Majesty’s attendance at a luncheon at Trinity House on 4 December 1975, accompanied by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh and HRH The Prince of Wales.
In more recent times, Trinity House had the honour of inviting Her Majesty to name THV Galatea at a ceremony in the Pool of London in 2007, once again accompanied by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh in his role as Master of the Corporation.
On each of those occasions, Her Majesty met staff with engaging questions and supportive comments. On the occasion of the re-opening of Trinity House after its near-destruction in the Blitz, Her Majesty offered the following kind words:
“Following the tradition of our Family, which I hope will be long maintained, my Father was an Elder Brother of Trinity House, and, as you know, had intended to open your new building. I am therefore especially glad that I can today carry out his wishes, and join with you in celebrating your return to your historic home. This new building is a noble replica of the old House, so tragically destroyed, and is one of which the City of London can be justly proud.
“The Corporation of Trinity House has a great record of public service and of charitable benefaction. For centuries, its members have been the Good Samaritans of the sea. I should like to take this opportunity of telling all those who have ever been associated with our Lighthouse and Pilotage services how deeply I appreciate their work and their devotion to duty on which depends the safety of those who sail the seas around these islands.”
Deputy Master Captain Ian McNaught marked the passing of Her Majesty with the following words:
“We are proud of our long association with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and of our service to her through our Royal Charter. We are grateful to both Her Majesty and to the late Duke of Edinburgh for their support and encouragement over the decades, not just to Trinity House but to many other organisations providing safety for those at sea.
Our thoughts and best wishes are with the family at this time.”