HRH The Princess Royal has become Royal Patron of the charity Friends of TS Queen Mary which is restoring the iconic Clyde steamer– making it a near neighbour for the Association.

Elderpark hopes the Royal endorsement can help the regeneration of Govan now that the ship has found a permanent berth at the Glasgow Science Centre. 

The Royal Patronage is a great step forward for the ongoing renaissance of the iconic British ship, berthed at Pacific Quay.

Friends of TS Queen Mary said the decision by HRH Princess Anne was a “huge honour”. Built at Dumbarton in 1933, TS Queen Mary was successfully brought back to the Clyde from London in a marathon voyage along the coast of the United Kingdom. In her heyday, TS Queen Mary carried 13,000 passengers each week and was known as “Britain’s Finest Pleasure Steamer”. She sailed daily from Glasgow’s Broomielaw and because of this was affectionately known as “The Glasgow Boat”.

Once restored as a heritage destination, she will connect local people with the River Clyde and its great industrial heritage. TS Queen Mary will offer a range of exciting curriculum-linked learning experiences to schools across the country.

Glasgow’s Lord Provost Eva Bolander said: “I’m incredibly proud to support this multi-faceted project to refurbish and promote this iconic steamer as an exciting visitor attraction as well as an educational, interactive maritime experience.

“Its permanent berth at Glasgow Science Centre is the perfect location for what was once the world’s largest and most luxurious Clyde pleasure steamer.”

Dr Stephen Breslin, Glasgow Science Centre’s chief executive, said: “Glasgow Science Centre is proud to play its part in ensuring TS Queen Mary has a bright future on the Clyde and we are delighted to have this iconic ship sit prominently beside our building.”

Gary Dalziel, chief executive of Elderpark, added: “TS Queen Mary undoubtedly brings a new focus to the regeneration of the Govan community. It is fantastic that such an iconic Clyde steamer as this should be given a new lease of life in our community. It will bring people to Govan so they can see for themselves what a vibrant, successful community we are.

“The fact that another of our other near neighbours – Glasgow Science Centre – has generously given TS Queen Mary a permanent home at Pacific Quay is also great news for the community.”

Iain Sim, chairman of Friends of TS Queen Mary, said: “We are well aware of the important regeneration work which Elderpark Housing carries out on behalf of its tenants and the wider community.

“Housing associations and housing co-operatives do the most vital work across Scotland bringing communities together not just in the delivery of affordable housing but in regeneration activity. We share that vision and TS Queen Mary, once restored, will be a worthy addition to the Govan community.”