Crowds turn out in Peel to welcome Princess Royal

HRH has visited the cathedral and House of Manannan 

Crowds in the west of the Island caught a glimpse of the Princess Royal today (17 October) when Princess Anne paid a visit to Peel.

The Princess Royal attended a thanksgiving service at Cathedral Isle of Man - celebrating a key milestone in the restoration and reordering of the cathedral.

Her arrival on the Isle of Man was slightly delayed but there was bright sunshine waiting for her when she eventually arrived in the town just before 12pm. 

At the service Her Royal Highness delivered a reading of the Third Lesson, Luke, Chapter 2, Verses 41-49.

A patron of The Cathedral Church of Saint German Peel Development Appeal, she then unveiled an engraved floor stone commemorating the £2 million reordering of the cathedral.

The floor stone reads: 

Re-ordered Cathedral Church of St German

Opened by

HRH The Princess Royal

Patron, Cathedral Development

17th October 2024

The Princess Royal also met some of the appeal donors, project architects and engineers who have supported and worked on the restoration.  

Some 350 invited guests were in attendance.

After the service Princess Anne was taken over to the House of Manannan for a guided tour of the 'All at Sea' exhibition which celebrates the Island's maritime heritage and the RNLI. 

The exhibition uncovers some of the tragic events in waters around the Isle of Man which motivated Manx resident Sir William Hillary to establish the national maritime lifesaving institution 200 years ago.

About 100 people gathered outside the House of Manannan to see the Princess Royal. 

Cath and Peter Douthwaite are from Manchester but visiting the Isle of Man.

Cath told Manx Radio she didn't want to miss the opportunity to see Princess Anne:

Karen Ratzeberg, from Douglas, met the late Queen and Duke of Edinburgh in St Lucia years ago and also saw Charles, when he was still a prince, playing polo in Kenya.

But she said she'd never seen the Princess Royal until today: 

Members of The Sea Cadets Isle of Man were invited to hold the guard of honor at the House of Manannan.

Commanding Officer Lieutenant Jamie Wood told Manx Radio it's extra special for the cadets as Princess Anne is the Patron of Maritime:

Leaving the exhibition at 2.30pm The Princess Royal walked out to a rendition of Ellan Vannin:

And Princess Anne was also greeted by Aalish Williams and her mum Larissa. 

The Peel Clothworker Primary School pupil handed her a bouquet and a custom-made mug: