Sir Tim Laurence, the husband of Her Royal Highness Princess Anne, has been announced as the patron of the charity behind the historic Waverley paddle steamer. 

Sir Tim recently enjoyed a visit on the ship, where he met crew members and trustees of the Waverley Steam Navigation Co Ltd.

The charity took ownership of the world’s last seagoing paddle steamer after she was gifted for £1 back in 1974.

Sir Tim enjoyed a distinguished career with the Royal Navy and is also a keen yachtsman who sails the waters of the west of Scotland every summer.

He said: “I thoroughly enjoyed visiting Waverley and learning what it takes to keep her sailing.

"Those who work hard to preserve and operate her deserve my support as Waverley is a unique vessel of exceptional importance.

"Not only does she illustrate and provide access to the engineering and maritime heritage of the Clyde and of Britain, but she provides the experience of going to sea under steam, with all the excitement, the sights, sounds and smells that involves.

"This ship is preserving heritage skills and social history as well as the fabric of the ship herself.

"I am very pleased to be able to help in the vital task of keeping her sailing for many years to come. She truly is a sight to behold.”

Derek Peters, chairman of Waverley Steam Navigation Co Ltd., added: “We are honoured that Sir Tim has agreed to become patron for Waverley.

"We look forward to working with Sir Tim to strengthen our efforts to attract even greater support for Waverley and ensure her long-term future in operational preservation to her centenary year and beyond.”

Over the past four years in excess of £4m has been raised to help carry out refurbishment and maintenance works on Waverley.

The annual maintenance cost now exceeds £600,000, and earlier this year a public appeal raised £180,000 to cover the cost of the annual dry docking ahead of her summer sailing season.

Waverley has just commenced her main summer sailings from Glasgow and around the Clyde Coast after embarking on a three-week sailing programme on the Bristol Channel and North Wales.

In order to help attract a new generation of support, children are able to travel for just £1 on many sailing routes and cruises.

Tickets for all sailings can be booked at waverleyexcursions.co.uk.