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History
Dover is one of the Cinque Ports, which were nominated in historical times to provide ships and men for the defence of the country, in consideration of which they were granted certain privileges particularly in regard to taxation.
The club, the fifth oldest Royal yacht club in England, was founded in 1872 and moved to its present location following the destruction of the original club premises by enemy gunfire in 1940.
The Duke of Connaught, who had been Commodore from 1872, was largely responsible for obtaining the Admiralty Warrant from his mother, Queen Victoria, so that members of the Royal Cinque Ports Yacht Club who comply with special conditions can apply for the privilege of wearing the undefaced Blue Ensign. 
The Club's President is the Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports, the post held by Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother until her death in 2002. Former holders include the Duke of Wellington, Robert Menzies, Prime Minister of Australia, and Sir Winston Churchill. The new Lord Warden, Admiral the Lord Boyce, GCB, OBE, was installed in 2005, and was formally welcomed as the new President of RCPYC at a reception in September (see Gallery).. |
