IT IS a long-standing tradition for a new yacht to be christened with a bottle of Champagne smashed across her bows. But the Princess Royal broke with tradition on September 5, 2000, by smashing a bottle of blackcurrant juice for the official naming ceremony of the Save The Children BT Global Challenge yacht in Southampton yesterday.

Crowds gathered at Ocean Village race headquarters to see the princess introduced to the 17-strong crew by skipper Nick Fenton.

She was shown around the quarters before meeting other participants, who raised more than £450,000 for the charity. The princess was president of Save The Children at the time but has been patron since 2016.

After her tour of the yacht, she told competitors: “The ability to work under pressure as a crew really only happens at sea when it is down to your skills and abilities.

“We have to accept all children as individuals with skills. All children have potential, and they should be able to reach that potential.”

She added: “Your interest and enthusiasm to provide us with extra funds is remarkable.”