Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal joined former Wrens, serving personnel and guests at HMS Eaglet in Liverpool for the Women’s Royal Naval Service Benevolent Trust (WRNS BT) Annual Presentation, to update members on its work  in 2025 and to celebrate  the remarkable contribution of generations of women who have served in the Naval Services .

The event brought together members of the WRNS family from across the UK, recognising the enduring legacy of the Women’s Royal Naval Service and the continuing work of WRNS BT in supporting former Wrens in their time of need and preserving their heritage.

Among the distinguished guests was Janet Gardner, aged 103, one of the  remaining Second World War WRNS veterans. Janet joined the WRNS  in 1942 and served in the coding office, making dangerous Atlantic crossings aboard the SS Pasteur, handling vital coded communications between Allied vessels. During the war she travelled to New York and South Africa, with instructions to destroy sensitive code books should the ship come under attack from German U-boats.

Guests were also treated to a moving presentation from The Valkyries, the all-female Royal Navy crew who completed a transatlantic rowing expedition. Sharing their personal experiences of teamwork, resilience and endurance during their Atlantic crossing, the crew drew powerful parallels between their own challenge and the courage, determination and pioneering spirit of the Wrens who served before them. Their presentation was warmly received and proved to be one of the highlights of the day.