Swim England has expressed its heartfelt sympathies to the Royal Family following the death of Her Majesty The Queen at the age of 96.
Her Majesty was the patron of the national governing body – then known as the Amateur Swimming Association – for 63 years from 1953 until handing over the role to The Duke of Cambridge in December 2016.
In 2013, the Amateur Swimming Association celebrated 60 years of the Queen’s Patronage with a commemorative display of photographs and film footage, which is now housed in its archives.
This included details of the ASA’s 1953 announcement of the start of Her Majesty’s patronage, and details of Her Majesty’s attendance at the ASA Centenary Gala in 1969 at Crystal Palace.
Volunteers also joined other organisations at The Patron’s Lunch in 2016 to celebrate Her Majesty’s 90th Birthday.
Jane Nickerson, Swim England chief executive, said: “Her Majesty was an iconic figure and an inspiration – and she will be sorely missed.
“She touched the lives of so many across the world and it was an honour to have her as our patron for so long.
“On behalf of Swim England, I’d like to pass on our thoughts, prayers and heartfelt sympathies to all members of the Royal Family at this extremely sad time.”