Staff from a scuba diving organisation based in Ellesmere Port welcomed The Prince of Wales and The Duke of Cambridge to a special event to mark the handover of the British Sub-Aqua Club (BSAC) presidency.
It was announced in May that The Duke has followed in the footsteps of his father and grandfather to take the helm of BSAC, the UK’s governing body for snorkelling and scuba diving, which celebrated its diamond jubilee last year.
He has spoken of how he hopes his presidency will inspire his little son George and other youngsters to also take the plunge and explore the underwater world.
Princes William and Charles joined about 100 BSAC members to mark the historic handover and to say thank you to The Prince of Wales for his four decades of loyal leadership at the head of the organisation.
The Duke of Cambridge took the plunge himself at the event, held at the Oasis lido in London’s West End.
There to welcome both Their Royal Highnesses and enjoy the two-hour reception with them was BSAC chief executive Mary Tetley.
Mary, who leads the team based at their headquarters close to the National Waterways Museum in Pier Road, said: “The BSAC team is still on cloud nine after the reception which was a huge success enjoyed by everyone, including I am told, Their Royal Highnesses themselves.
“It has been a major highlight in my wonderful career with BSAC which is a fantastic organisation. We are so privileged to have the Duke take over as president from his father who has served us for 40 dedicated years.
“It is hard to put into words how special the day was for us. The sun shone, there were smiles from ear to ear everywhere you looked and we were surrounded by young scuba divers and snorkellers who had this wonderful opportunity to meet both The Prince of Wales and The Duke of Cambridge in one morning, talking to them about the sport they feel passionately about.
“It was magical.”
Speaking at the special reception, where he was presented with a Lifetime Honorary Member Award by BSAC Chairman Eugene Farrell, The Prince of Wales, said: “I feel extraordinarily proud having lasted for 40 years as your President. I am delighted that my eldest son is taking over from me.
“I can only assume that his interest probably stems from the fact that I threw him into the swimming pool on many occasions and instead of putting him off, it actually enthused him.
"I am thrilled that he has decided to carry on the tradition started by my father, who I know began as your president right at the beginning of the BSAC.
“Then when he handed over to me, 40 years ago, little did I think that I would end up being your president for 40 out of your 60 years.
“I do hope the club will go from strength to strength under its new and enthusiastic management.”
The Duke of Cambridge, who was presented with a BSAC President diving jacket and a scuba diving T-shirt for his son George, said: “It is a great honour to be here with my father to accept the role as President of the British Sub-Aqua Club, continuing the presidency from my father and from my grandfather, The Duke of Edinburgh.
“Like them, I can proudly say I learnt to dive with the club, and share your passion for the sport and the underwater environment.
“I hope that one day my son, George, might follow in our footsteps. At the moment bathtime is a quite painful but I imagine as he gets a little bit older donning a snorkel and mask might calm him down.
“I look forward to working with BSAC to encourage even more young people to dive – to help develop the next generation of underwater explorers, pioneers and protectors.”
