HRH Princess Alexandra cutting the ribbon. (c) KSY Museum Trust
HRH Princess Alexandra, as Royal Honorary Colonel, visited Hever Castle to open the new Kent and Sharpshooters Yeomanry Museum , which replaces the original museum at Hever Castle opened by Princess Alexandra in 1985. The new museum takes into account the improvement in modern technology and better access.
HRH being given a guided tour of the museum (c) KSY Museum Trust
Her Royal Highness toured the museum with four school children who had helped with the production of the displays. Following the tour Princess Alexandra cut a ribbon to open the museum before attending a reception including serving members of the Squadrons, veterans and other guests.
Princess Alexandra unveiled a plaque marking the event before she departed.
HRH pictured with assembled guests at the museum opening. (c) KSY Museum Trust
Background History
Two Regiments of Yeomanry were formed in East and West Kent in 1794 to defend against possible invasion by Napoleon. The Sharpshooters were formed in London at the time of the Boer War. They were amalgamated as a reconnaisance regiment in 1961. Changes have continued and today they form the Reservist C (KSY) Squadron of the Royal Yeomanry based in Croydon and 265 (KCLY) Support Squadron of the Royal Signals, based in Bexleyheath, both of which have served in Iraq and Afghanistan.
