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Queen’s Historical Lifeboat Station Opening In Cowes Remembered

News of the death of Queen Elizabeth strikes a particularly poignant note at Cowes RNLI lifeboat station.

For it was there on 25 July 2012 history was made.

That day saw Her Majesty officially open an RNLI lifeboat station for the first time in her long reign - having been a long-time patron of the life-saving charity.

Now prominently displayed at the entrance to the station is the handsome board she unveiled on that day; and framed in the main crew room are a collection of photographs from the event.

Mark Southwell, the station’s Operations Manager, said:

“The sad death of HM The Queen reminds us at Cowes Lifeboat how lucky we were to welcome her and Prince Philip on the last day of the 2012 Diamond Jubilee tour.

“Everything sparkled and everyone was happy. The sun shone and the harbour looked magnificent.

"While here, she made us feel as though our station, lifeboat and volunteers were all that mattered to her and the Duke.

"The 25 minutes (she shared) seemed to be ages. 

“We remember her with great fondness - (she was) always polite, friendly and professional - the epitome of service and dedication.

“It was a Royal moment in the sun for Cowes RNLI; a treasured memory for everyone there on the day.”

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