Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal, visited The Royal Corinthian Yacht Club (RCYC) in Burnham-on-Crouch, as part of their 150th Anniversary celebrations last Monday (July 18).

Princess Anne, a keen sailor herself, took to the water to watch sailing boats of various shapes and sizes compete for the Acorn Trophy. The trophy itself is 150 years old and represents a unique symbol of the RCYC heritage.

Anne, the Princess Royal, pictured with Phillip Aspinall, the Club Commodore (Photo: Nigel Teather)

Accompanied by the Lord Lieutenant of Essex, Jenny Tolhurst, The Princess Royal met local dignitaries, members, and volunteers before viewing the start of the race. She was then escorted by Club Commodore Phillip Aspinall to view the racing from the water.

A spokesperson said the Princess Royal's visit was 'the highpoint' of celebrations to mark the Club's 150th anniversary. (Photo: Nick Skeens)

The Princess Royal presented the trophy to the winner, 16-year-old Ollie Mears, who raced in a loaned Blaze dinghy.

Princess Anne chatted with Ollie who was pleased to tell her that his father had once won a race sailing with her daughter, Zara Tindall, when they had both been Corinthian Otters, the youth arm of the club.

A keen sailor, The Princess Royal boarded a boat to watch the racing from the water. (Photo: Nigel Teather)

A spokesperson for the RCYC said: "The visit was the highpoint of a long weekend of special sailing and social events which was enhanced with wall-to-wall sunshine and fresh sea breezes, a perfect combination to celebrate such a significant milestone for the club."

The Princess Royal chatted to Club members while aboard committee boat Phoebe. (Photo: Nigel Teather)

The Corinthian Yacht Club was founded in 1872 and became the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club in 1892. It was founded on the principle "to encourage amateur yacht sailing".

The Royal Corinthian has been based in Burnham-on-Crouch since 1892 and has had branches for a few years on the Thames estuary and in Cowes.

The Royal Corinthian Yacht Club's clubhouse was built in 1931 and is a Grade II listed building. (Photo: Nick Skeens)

RCYC's current Clubhouse, built in 1931, reflects the heyday of yachting with its award-winning, Emberton-architected, steel-framed "skyscraper" which is now Grade II listed. The 1930's also included two landmark events, in which the Club provided the crew for Endeavour in the America's Cup in 1934, and the Olympic team selection two years later.

The Princess Royal's visit also marked the hottest day of the year so far, with temperatures reaching a sweltering 38°C in parts of the Maldon District. (Photo: Nigel Teather)

During WW2, the building formed part of HMS St Mathew as a shore-based naval facility to protect against invasion.