Patron Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal welcomed aboard

 Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal visited HMS Unicorn last Thursday (29th September 2022) in her role as patron of The Unicorn Preservation Society.

Museum Manager Matthew demonstrates the latest computer modelling of HMS Unicorn

The Society has enjoyed The Princess Royal’s patronage for many years, herself taking over the role from Her Majesty The Queen Mother. The Princess Royal met with the staff, volunteers and trustees of the charity and was updated on the Society’s ambitious plans to relocate Unicorn to dry dock and undertake extensive conservation work.

The Princess Royal was shown the results of the latest computer-modelled structural analysis, which combines laser survey data and information gathered during a painstakingly thorough timber survey to give an accurate picture of the condition of the ship. Later, she was shown a short presentation on the ship’s WaveMakers volunteering programme, which seeks to give transferable skills to Dundee residents facing barriers to work and education. Finally, The Princess Royal met with some of the charity’s many partners before signing the visitor’s book.

Museum Manager Matthew Bellhouse Moran said:

“We are always delighted to welcome our patron who consistently shows a knowledge and understanding of the issues we face as a historic ship that come from our shared interest in HMS Unicorn and her future. We were thrilled to be able to share the progress and successes of the last 3 years which, despite covid, have seen Unicorn improve as a museum and community hub for all of Dundee and beyond.”