Organisation
Since 1885 Henley Royal Regatta has been organised by a self-electing body of Stewards, most of whom are well-known and successful rowers and scullers.
The Stewards’ practical application of their knowledge of the sport to the actual running of the Regatta undoubtedly makes a great contribution to its success.
A Committee of Management is elected annually and is responsible for all planning and detailed organisation. The Stewards’ primary consideration is the best interests of those who are competing in the races and the Members of the Stewards' Enclosure in equal measure.
In 1851, the Stewards of Henley Regatta requested from The Prince Consort the honour of a Royal Patronage. His Royal Highness Prince Albert graciously consented, and, upon his demise, Her Majesty Queen Victoria agreed to the continuance of the Royal Patronage, and accordingly, it has ever since been generously renewed by each Monarch upon Accession.
The determined support of that patronage has been assiduously demonstrated over the years through visits to Henley Royal Regatta by Members of Great Britain’s Royal Family and of other Royal Families, sometimes purely of a social nature but also, more formally, from time to time for the presentation of the prizes.
Before becoming official Patron, Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II attended Henley Royal Regatta as HRH Princess Elizabeth in 1946, when she graciously agreed that the new trophy for the Schools’ Race be named The Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup. Some years later, Her Majesty officially opened the new purpose-built Regatta Headquarters by Henley Bridge.
In May 2024, we were honoured to receive the news that His Majesty King Charles III had graciously accepted the Patronage of Henley Royal Regatta.
Many of the Regatta’s events have a Royal theme:
The Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup
The Queen Mother Challenge Cup
The Princess Grace Challenge Cup
The Prince of Wales Challenge Cup
The Diamond Jubilee Challenge Cup
The Prince Albert Challenge Cup
The Princess Royal Challenge Cup
R C Phelps (Chair)
Professor N B Rankov
F B Hunt-Davis, MBE
G Batten
Sir Matthew Pinsent, CBE
N Chugani
A P S Crawford
S K Winckless, MBE
L T O Dillon
J J Eddie
The Mayor of Henley
M A Sweeney, CBE (President)
J A Stephenson
P G R Delafield
R C Lester
Dr I Reid
C L Baillieu, MBE
J K Mullard
J C Luker
The Emeritus Bishop of Menevia
Dr P L Thomas
F J Smallbone
Dr W M R Johnston
Dr R G M Budgett, OBE
Professor N B Rankov
M D Williams, OBE
M B Baldwin
J F Boultbee, AM
Major the Right Honourable the Lord Wigram, MVO
Sir Steve Redgrave, CBE
R C Stanhope
R C Phelps (Chair)
C J Rodrigues, CBE
J A Friend
G B Stewart
Sir Matthew Pinsent, CBE
Dr J G Michels
A Phelps, CBE
J W C Searle, MBE
G W Hammond
F B Hunt-Davis, MBE
C L Richmond
B M Edwards
G M P Searle, MBE
Dr Dame Katherine Grainger, DBE
J G Hedger
J W Koven
P T Cusack
G Batten
Sir David Wootton
A P S Crawford
N Chugani
S K Winckless, MBE
F K Dennis
M J Hunter, MBE
T W James, MBE
M J Brittin
Dr Lady Redgrave
M B D Helm
M Luke, MBE
J R M Harlow
R C D Murray
Dr C J Bishop
S H M Hosking, MBE
A L Faiers
S A P Cook
L T O Dillon
D K Bruwer
A H Abdullah
J J Eddie
A Freeman-Pask
B C Wilson
R Williams, MBE
H M Stanning, OBE
E K Twigg, MNZM
M K Sbihi, MBE
Secretary & Chief Executive: D G M Grist
Construction of Regatta HQ
A permanent base on the Berkshire bank of the River Thames
The Regatta Headquarters building is located on the Berkshire side of the river, next to Henley Bridge, and opposite the Angel on the Bridge public house.
In 1983 the Regatta purchased the derelict Carpenters’ Arms public house and this building was demolished and replaced with the present Headquarters. The new building was designed by the Terry Farrell Partnership and built at a cost in the region of £1.2m.
On 16 April 1986 the new Headquarters was opened by Her Majesty The Queen, Patron of the Regatta, accompanied by His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
The unique design of the building has won many awards, including the Financial Times Architecture at Work Award in 1987, the Royal Institute of British Architects Architecture Award in 1988, and a Wokingham District Council Design Award in 1994.
In 2018 Henley Royal Regatta Headquarters was listed at Grade II by Historic England for the following principal reasons: Architectural interest, Historic interest and Group Value.
Regatta Headquarters has three levels, a store and wet dock on the ground floor, a large Committee Room, with offices and a shop and store area on the middle floor, and the upper floor contains a self-contained apartment.
