Cunard Hosts HRH Princess Anne In New York

Princess Anne at the National Museum
for the Royal Navy

Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, Patron of the UK's National Museum of the Royal Navy (NMRN), will be the special guest at an exclusive New York luncheon today sponsored by Cunard Line in support of the world's most iconic warship, HMS Victory. The luncheon marks another milestone in Cunard's celebratory 175th year and coincides with the launch of HMS Victory 250 years ago.

The Trafalgar luncheon is a celebration of the history of British Sea Power and is hosted by the American Friends of the National Museum of the Royal Navy (AFNMRN), a not-for-profit organization that furthers the special relationship between the British and American navies and supports the NMRN's collections and educational programs. Following years of mostly stopgap reservation, HMS Victory is entering the most significant phase of conservation in her 250-year history to stabilize and preserve her. The luncheon marks the early stages of an international campaign to secure her long-term future.

The backdrop of Cunard's flagship ocean liner Queen Mary 2 will provide an inspirational setting to the luncheon while she is docked at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal. It is the second such event sponsored by Cunard in support of NMRN during this year, with the earlier function hosted aboard Queen Victoria in April while the ship was docked in Los Angeles (San Pedro), California.

All proceeds from the event will go towards the conservation of HMS Victory, which boasts a huge following in America. The ship, which legendarily led the British Fleet to victory against the French in 1805, is most famously associated with Admiral Lord Nelson, who was mortally wounded during the Battle of Trafalgar and is now possibly one of the Greatest Britons.

David W. Fleming, Founding President of the AFNMRN, said, "We are thrilled to welcome Her Royal Highness as guest of honor. There is a very special relationship and shared respect between our two navies, past and present. The awesome sea power of the UK's greatest flagship, HMS Victory, and the tactical genius of Admiral Lord Nelson capture the hearts and minds of many Americans."

Image Courtesy Cunard Line