Members of Tenby RNLI have enjoyed a Royal appointment at a special garden party, after His Majesty King Charles III was announced as the RNLI’s new Patron.

King Charles granted permission for a garden party at Buckingham Palace on May 23 in celebration of the 200th anniversary of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.

The garden party brought together around 2,500 of the RNLI’s long-serving volunteers, staff and their families and also featured an Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat in the Palace grounds.

Representing Tenby lifeboat station were recently retired Coxswain Phil John, Michael Lewis, Daniel Young, Graham Waring and Peter O'Hagan, along with their partners.

King Charles III succeeds Queen Elizabeth II and continues the tradition of patronage for the charity by the reigning monarch, which began when the RNLI was founded in 1824 with King George IV as its first Patron.

RNLI Chief Executive Mark Dowie said: “All volunteers, supporters and staff will be extremely proud that The King has honoured the RNLI with His Majesty’s patronage.

“This is particularly so in the 200th anniversary year of the institution as we reflect on all that has gone before in the reigns of His Majesty’s forebears, together with the RNLI’s bright future as we head into our third century of lifesaving.’

The King has a long history with the RNLI and has made several visits to lifeboat stations and sites over the years.

The appointment of His Majesty King Charles III as Patron has been approved by the RNLI Trustee Board, in line with the charity’s constitution and byelaws.