The UK’ s Duke and Duchess of Cornwall have chosen a picture taken during the summer at the naming ceremony for the new St Mawes Ferry for their 2008 Royal Christmas Card.
The photograph was taken by St Mawes Ferry crewman Tony Hopewell during the visit by Their Royal Highnesses in July of this year.
The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall headlined the event, with the Duchess of Cornwall unveiling he plaque which named the vessel after herself. The Duchess of Cornwall was built from wood using traditional methods and materials by Cockwells Modern and Classic Boatbuilding Ltd of Falmouth.
Tony Hopewell who now works part time as a crewman on the ferry used to be a professional photographer and said, 'During the naming ceremony, the St Piran flag had been covering the name plate. It was controlled by strings and came crashing down, landing on the Duchess’s umbrella. Both of them started laughing at what had happened and I was fortunate to capture the moment.’
Following the ceremony they both boarded the vessel for a 20 minute crossing of the harbour from St Mawes to Falmouth’s Prince of Wales Pier. As the vessel was crossing the Carrick Roads the couple took turns at the helm. Prince Charles met with the build team to discuss how the ferry was assembled as well as the general sustainability of contemporary wooden boatbuilding. The 60ft wooden ferry carries 100 passengers on a crossing it now undertakes 364 days each year.
The resulting Christmas card is sent to the many charitable volunteers, friends and supporters who help Their Royal Highnesses.
