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Western Manx town welcomes Princess Anne

BBC Princess Anne, who is wearing brown skirt, jacket and leather gloves, holds her hand out to Lieutenant Governor Sir John Lorimer, with the Dean of the Cathedral Nigel Godfrey, Chief Minister Alfred Cannan and Lady Lorimer also standing by.BBC
Princess Anne was greeted by the island's lieutenant governor (centre) at the cathedral

The Isle of Man has welcomed the Princess Royal on a visit to a refurbished cathedral and an exhibition celebrating the RNLI's Manx roots.

Princess Anne started her visit at a service of thanksgiving in Peel, marking a milestone in the Cathedral Isle of Man refurbishment project she is patron of.

She then visited the All at Sea Exhibition marking the 200th anniversary of the RNLI at the House of Manannan nearby.

Lieutenant Governor Sir John Lorimer said the visit allowed "us to highlight the island’s community spirit, heritage and culture".

Princess Anne stands and addresses people in Cathedral Isle of Man with extravagant decor in the background.
Princess Anne gave a reading at the service at Cathedral Isle of Man

Some road closures and parking restrictions have been put in place for the one-day visit, including on East Quay and Atholl Street.

The service, which started shortly after 11:30 BST, was attended by 350 invited guests and saw the princess unveil an engraved floor stone celebrating theoffical reopening of the building after the £2m restoration project.

Princess Anne looks down at the floor where there is a small blue cloth, which the Dean of the Cathedral Nigel Godfrey is standing at a lectern in front of it speaking.
The Princess Royal unveiled an engraved floor stone to mark the redevelopment project
A stone which reads re-ordered Cathedral Church of St German Opened by The Princess Royal, Patron, Cathedral Development, 17th October 2024.
Princess Anne is the patron of the Cathedral Development project

Princess Anne then met some of the donors, project architects and engineers who have been involved in the building's reordering.

Cathedral Dean Nigel Godfrey said: "It's her third time on the island. The first time she laid the foundations for our garden, the second time she visit the development team, and the third time she's seeing the floor and a much changed cathedral."

Asked what the princess's visit represented, he replied: "It' a great honour for a very ancient community".

A group of primary school children wearing yellow high vis vests and holding Union Jack flags and Manx flags.
Children from the local primary school gathered outside the House of Manannan for the visit

That was followed by a guided tour of the All at Sea Exhibition at about 13:15, which highlights the influence shipwrecks in Manx waters had on Sir William Hillary's founding of the maritime lifesaving organisation.

A woman and her nine year old daughter crouched down in front of a harbour marina. The mother has black, straight hair and a black outdoor coat, and is holding a small Isle of Man flag. The child is wearing a blue raincoat with white polka dots, and she has light brown hair.
Larissa Williams and her daughter Aalish, who presented flowers to the princess

The princess was presented with flowers by nine-year-old Aalish, from Peel.

She said she was "kind of nervous" but that the princess was "really friendly".

In the crowd was Peter Douthwaite, who was visiting the island on holiday from Tameside in Greater Manchester.

He said: “I admire the work that she does, she’s probably one of the most hardworking of the royals.”

Andrea Asbridge-Heard, from Santon, said: "I just think it’s lovely that they make the effort to come over.

“It puts the island on the map as well, it shows that we’re part of the Commonwealth and they’ve got us in mind.”

Emma Welton and Andrea Asbridge-Heard, who are both wearing sunglasses. One is brunette and is wearing a black down jacket, and the other is blonde and wearing a green coat.
Emma Welton (left) and Andrea Asbridge-Heard travelled to Peel from Santon

Representatives from the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture, the fishing and farming industries, RNLI, and local businesses and community organisations were present at the quayside museum.

Cath and Peter Douthwaite, who are an older married couple. She is wearing a green down jacket and blue blouse and has fair hair. He is wearing a khaki-coloured coat and a grey hoodie, is balding and wears glasses.
Cath and Peter Douthwaite, visiting the island on holiday from Greater Manchester

Prior to the visit, Chief Minister Alfred Cannan said the Manx community would give the princess "another warm welcome", with many people "looking forward to a special day to mark the reordering of the cathedral and the bicentenary of the RNLI".

Princess Anne last visited the island in 2021, when she presided over the Tynwald ceremony.

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