Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal joined guests at The Royal Scots Club on Thursday 30 October for HMS Unicorn’s first Annual Reception, marking a defining new chapter for one of Scotland’s most treasured historic ships.

The event brought together supporters, funders, and heritage partners from across the country to celebrate Project Safe Haven — a transformational initiative securing the long-term future of HMS Unicorn, the world’s most original surviving wooden warship.

Launched in 1824 and berthed in Dundee since 1873, HMS Unicorn is Scotland’s oldest ship and one of the last remaining frigates from the golden age of sail. After 200 years afloat, she now faces critical conservation challenges to ensure her preservation for generations to come.

Chairman Christine Purdy highlighted the start of the National Lottery Heritage Fund Development Phase of Project Safe Haven as a vital step to ensure HMS Unicorn is safely moved into Dundee’s East Graving Dock, supported in a specially designed cradle. This will allow her to dry out gradually over 10–15 years as part of the major redevelopment, creating new exhibition, learning and community spaces.

During the reception, The Princess Royal met guests, staff, volunteers, and trustees of the Unicorn Preservation Society, hearing about recent milestones and existing conservation work funded by the National Heritage Memorial Fund and the next phase of conservation work supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Closing her address, Chairman Christine Purdy expressed sincere gratitude to Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal for her continued patronage and longstanding support of HMS Unicorn.

To learn more, donate, or join Shipmates, visit www.hmsunicorn.org.uk