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Presenting the Trophy, ISAF President, Göran Petersson said: "We are here tonight for a very special occasion. The awarding of the ISAF Beppe Croce Trophy to His Majesty King Constantine is in recognition of his outstanding voluntary contribution and devotion to the sport of sailing and the Olympic Movement.

In recent years, it was never a question that His Majesty would not be a recipient of the Beppe Croce trophy; it was only a matter of when. It is also fitting that we celebrate this Award here tonight in the very Club from where he started his involvement, training and competition in sailing."

His Majesty's record of service to the International Sailing Federation spans more than 50 years. Since 1960, when he first became involved with ISAF, he has given his time and experience to many areas of the sport of sailing.

His Majesty shared some his fondest sailing and ISAF memories including how he was persuaded by his father King Paul to abandon a sporting career in horse-riding in favour of sailing.

He concluded saying "I don't think I deserver this award, it should be for all of you."

Outside the Yacht Club was Nereus, the Dragon which His Majesty helmed at the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome and joining the reception were his two crew members, Odysseus Eskidioglou and Georgios Zaimis.

The ISAF Beppe Croce Trophy is presented to an individual who has made an outstanding voluntary contribution to the sport of sailing. In memory of Beppe Croce, the ISAF President from 1969-1986, the Federazione Italiana Vela presented the Trophy to the ISAF and it was awarded for the first time in 1988.

The roll of honour is an impressive one, including multiple Olympic medallists, rules gurus and designers, and all have dedicated an outstanding amount of time to the sport of sailing.

ISAF Beppe Croce Trophy - www.sailing.org/beppe-croce.php