Duchess of Edinburgh visits Guernsey ahead of race

The Duchess of Edinburgh spoke to boat crews ahead of the race on Tuesday

The Duchess of Edinburgh has visited Guernsey ahead of a small ships race to Dorset.

More than 130 young people will be taking part in a sailing race between Guernsey and Poole on Tuesday to commemorate the RNLI's 200th anniversary.

The Duchess is the Royal Patron of the Association of Sail Training Organisations (ASTO), which offers young people the chance to learn both sailing and team-building skills.

She spent time speaking to islanders involved - all under the age of 25 - before they set sail.

Joshua Caudary said it was an honour to have the duchess on the boat

Joshua Caudary, member of ASTO, said his first time ever meeting royalty was "fantastic".

He said: "She really got involved straight away, I'm honoured to have her on the boat and to show her what the charity does.

"Everyone that she chatted to and talked to was amazing, her royal highness was asking us what we do on the boat, what our long term plans were."

Mr Caudary said the race on Tuesday was going to be difficult without the use of their engines.

"It should be really great, just getting out there with all the boats in the water sailing trying to beat each other - and also just having a really good time getting people out at sea," he said.

Neave Chatting-Tonks said it was "a really awesome" experience to speak to the Duchess

Neave Chatting-Tonks, a governor cadet representing the youth commission, said it was "a really amazing experience" to greet the duchess.

She said: "She's quite personal - she asked how we were, what we're doing at the moment."

The 17-year-old said it was not the first time meeting royalty as she accompanied Queen Camilla during her visit in July.

She said she was "just trying to take it in, trying to be yourself".

"It's really awesome, I can't describe it any other way."

The Duchess of Edinburgh took to the helm of a ship as she spoke to the crew

Lauren Mackenzie, a member of the ship Prolific, said it was "very cool" to meet the duchess.

She said: "We took her out, we got sailing, she had a little helm and had a little chat to her which was nice.

"She was steering the boat for a while, doing some of the sail hosts... and getting to know all the people."