Our Patrons

HRH The Princess Royal

Our Royal PatronHer Royal Highness The Princess Royal KG,KT,GCVO,CD,QSO

Since 2018 the National Coastwatch Institution has been proud and honoured to have Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal as our Royal Patron.

Her Royal Highness has made frequent visits to NCI stations around the country which have provided unparalleled recognition for our volunteers, boosted morale and heightened pride in NCI’s contributions to maritime Search and Rescue. In addition, The Princess Royal’s engagement has helped greatly to raise the profile of the Charity, so significantly broadening our network of supporters and sponsors.    

During 2024 Her Royal Highness visited seven NCI stations at Canvey Island, Cromer, Worm’s Head, Fleetwood, Hengistbury Head, Bembridge, and Shoreham and attended a Reception at Trinity House for our supporters and sponsors to mark our 30th Anniversary of helping to save lives at sea. 

Her Royal Highness’s continued involvement as the leading Patron of the Charity is a great honour and very much appreciated by us all.

Dame Katherine Grainger DBE

Dame Katherine became patron of the National Coastwatch Institution in 2013 and is currently Chair of UK Sport. She was appointed Chair of the British Olympic Committee in November 2024, a role she will take up in 2025.

Born in Glasgow, Dame Katherine attended Bearsden Academy and the universities of Edinburgh and Glasgow from which she gained an MPhil and LLB, followed by a PhD from Kings College London. She was elected President of the Edinburgh University Boat Club in 1996/7, honorary President of the Scottish Amateur Rowing Association 2005, and a Steward of Henley Royal Regatta in 2008.

Dame Katherine regularly attends Receptions and Events in support of National Coastwatch Institution profile and fundraising efforts. Dame Katherine was appointed MBE in2006, CBE in 2013 and DBE in 2017. In 2017 she was appointed Chancellor of Oxford Brookes University and holds 14 Olympic and World Championship medals including seven Gold.

Sir Christopher Coville

Air Marshal Sir Christopher Coville KCB

Sir Christopher Coville became a Patron of the National Coastwatch Institution in 2010. He regularly attends receptions and events in support of profile and fund raising events, and has frequently given his time to our meetings of Station Managers where his inspirational contributions have been much appreciated. He will be stepping down as a Patron in April 2025 and his support will be much missed. Air Marshal Sir Christopher Coville is a Visiting Professor with the Freeman Air and Space Institute in the School of Security Studies. Sir Christopher joined the Royal Air Force in 1964 as a Flight Cadet at the RAF College Cranwell. After flying training, he served several tours of duty as an operational Lightning and Phantom pilot in the Air Defence role. His early career included staff and command appointments, a spell in the Falkland Islands in 1983 as Officer Commanding Operations Wing, and later command of RAF Coningsby. Later he held senior appointments in Command, in NATO and in the MOD. Sir Christopher has enjoyed a successful second career in business and in the Third Sector. He is past Chairman of Westland Helicopters Ltd (2005-February 2011) and the European Aerospace Companies’ Rotorcraft Group (2004-12). From 2003-2010 he was President of the Aircrew Association. From June 2013 to November 2017, he assumed the Chair of the British Helicopter Association, which represents the interests of all civilian helicopter operators and manufacturers. He lectures extensively on the Major Challenges Facing Mankind in the Twenty-First Century and has recently chaired a high-level group examining Modern Deterrence and Escalation Management.