A piece of maritime heritage and the opening of a new state-of-the-art emergency hub were at the centre of a royal visit to Ipswich by the Princess Royal. 

As part of her visit, Princess Anne commissioned the boat Horace & Hannah, a 1906 Great Yarmouth Shrimper which has recently been rescued and refurbished by the Excelsior Trust.

East Anglian Daily Times: Princess Anne visited The Old Custom House on Ipswich's Waterfront.Princess Anne visited The Old Custom House on Ipswich's Waterfront. (Image: Charlotte Bond, Newsquest)

The commissioning event took place at The Old Custom House, at Associated British Port's (ABP) Port of Ipswich.

Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal is Excelsior Trust's Centenary Patron, having commissioned the Lowestoft sailing smack Excelsior in 1988.

The sail training vessel has since taken more than ten thousand young people to sea.

Before unveiling the Horace & Hannah plaque, Princess Anne said: "Thank you for your continued enthusiasm for maritime heritage."

East Anglian Daily Times: Princess Anne recommissioned the Horace & Hannah for the Excelsior Trust.Princess Anne recommissioned the Horace & Hannah for the Excelsior Trust. (Image: Charlotte Bond, Newsquest)

She added that she was "delighted" to be invited to the event, to "make sure that skillset continues to exist, not forgeting the value it has in the future, nevermind the past."

After unveiling the plaque she remarked that The Old Custom House was a "wonderful place to come", and three cheers were made for Her Royal Highness.

East Anglian Daily Times: Princess Anne on her visit to Ipswich. Picture: Charlotte BondPrincess Anne on her visit to Ipswich. Picture: Charlotte Bond (Image: Charlotte Bond, Newsquest)

East Anglian Daily Times: Princess Anne unveils the plaque on Ipswich Waterfront with Excelsior Chair Jamie Campbell. Picture: Charlotte BondPrincess Anne unveils the plaque on Ipswich Waterfront with Excelsior Chair Jamie Campbell. Picture: Charlotte Bond (Image: Charlotte Bond, Newsquest)

Excelsior Chair Jamie Campbell said the visit went "extraordinarily well", describing the Princess as an "absolutely charming lady".

"It was a happy event, despite the weather," he said.

"She knew her subject, she enjoys boats and I'm sure everyone feels that all their considerable amount of work was worthwhile.

"We look forward to sharing Horace & Hannah with many more young people in the years to come."

East Anglian Daily Times: Princess Anne unveiled a plaque for Horace & Hannah, on behalf of the Excelsior Trust.Princess Anne unveiled a plaque for Horace & Hannah, on behalf of the Excelsior Trust. (Image: Charlotte Bond, Newsquest)

ABP hosted the visit at the port office and regional director Andrew Harston said: "It's a great privilege to be able to host Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal at our port in Ipswich, and on the site where Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth officially opened Ipswich Waterfront just over two decades ago on 17 July 2002.

"The Port of Ipswich boasts a rich maritime history, and is proud to play a key role in supporting the local community."

East Anglian Daily Times: John Mallet from the trust with the plaque. Picture: Charlotte BondJohn Mallet from the trust with the plaque. Picture: Charlotte Bond (Image: Charlotte Bond)

Princess Anne held conversation with multiple people who have been involved with the Excelsior Trust, including refit manager Karol Petryka.

"She asked me about my previous experience and I told her about how I've trained up new skippers," he said.

"It was nice to speak with her and she seemed in good spirits."

East Anglian Daily Times: Princess Anne was hosted by the Deputy Lieutenant of Suffolk, pictures here with members of the Sea Cadets.Princess Anne was hosted by the Deputy Lieutenant of Suffolk, pictures here with members of the Sea Cadets. (Image: Charlotte Bond, Newsquest)

Laurence Vulliamy was a trustee of the Excelsior Trust until last year and he spoke briefly with Princess Anne about going out to sea.

"Of course she is a sailor, as indeed was her father," said Mr Vulliamy.

"What was so nice is that she came to Lowestoft in 1998 to commission Excelsior as a sail training vessel.

"We asked her to be patron of our centenary, which was the year before last, and I'm so pleased that she agreed to come today to recommission Horace & Hannah."

Supporter Isabel Cator has a special family tie to the Excelsior, as her father was key in helping to get people on board in the 80s.

"All my nieces and nephews went on board last year, it's a family tradition," she said.

"My husband mentioned to Princess Anne that we had met on the boat and she thought that was a great thing."

On Tuesday morning, Princess Anne visited Felixstowe National Coastwatch Institution, of which she is a patron. 

Before attending The Port Office to recommission the boat, Princess Anne officially opened Suffolk's largest joint emergency services hub, the combined fire and police station in Princes Street, Ipswich.

During her time at the new station, the Princess spoke to staff from Suffolk Constabulary and Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service who have already begun to benefit from using the state-of-the-art facility.

East Anglian Daily Times: Princess Anne officially opened Suffolk's largest joint emergency services hub in Princes Street.Princess Anne officially opened Suffolk's largest joint emergency services hub in Princes Street. (Image: Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service)

Situated in the heart of Ipswich, the new station will "help maintain public safety, ensure a swift response to incidents and promote partnership working".

On Wednesday, March 29, the Princess Royal will open the Centre for the Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science's new Laboratory and Headquarters in Lowestoft. 

She will also visit Adnams Brewery in Southwold to mark its 150th anniversary.